A few days ahead of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections, elected candidates were asked to remove the banners and posters they had pasted on the Delhi University’s campuses. This order was given by the Chief Election Officer on Monday, September 23, 2024. But the candidates didn’t comply with the order and resurfaced the posters and banners despite the warnings.
Not only the walls were covered with campaign posters, but also the roads were littered with pamphlets and handouts, all of which the names of the elected candidates with their posts and ballot numbers were imprinted. By keeping all of this in mind, Chief Election Officer Satyapal Singh gave the ultimatum of 24 hours to remove the campaign materials from the walls. They have mentioned in the notice that candidates are allowed to use only designated “Walls of Democracy” for pasting posters.
MCD workers remove the posters and banners, but by night, students hang them up again,” he said. The constable also pointed out that convoys of cars during campaign rallies cause significant traffic jams, making it difficult to manage the area.
As per the traffic constable, at least 50 challans are issued to the candidates daily. MCD workers remove the posters from the walls, but by night, student candidates hang them up again. Also, groups of cars during the election rallies create a lot of traffic, which makes it difficult for traffic police to handle the crowd and manage the area.
Students who all attend the regular colleges are also facing the issue of disturbance. A student told me that the elected candidates barge into their classrooms and ask for votes, which disrupts the students from studying. Another student said that there is no use to waste the papers by imprinting their names and ballot numbers; instead, candidates can speak and ask for votes orally.
Satyapal Singh stated that their committee is keeping a close vigilance on any violations of election rules. He added that they are in the process of identifying violators, and appropriate action will be soon taken against them.
This is not the first time rules are violating duing DUSU elections. To avoid such issues, strict enforcement of Lyngdoh Committee Guidelines should lay down. This includes setting of strict spending limits for candidates, banning printed posters to avoid harm and prohibition of external influence.
Satyapal Singh stated that their committee is keeping a close vigil on any violations of election rules. He added that they are in the process of identifying violators, and appropriate action will be soon taken against them.
