The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections for 2024 have been marked by intense competition between the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). With vote counting underway today, November 25, 2024, initial results indicate a neck-and-neck race, as both organisations vie for dominance in one of the nation’s most prestigious student union elections.
Highlights After 4th Round of Counting
• President: NSUI’s Rounak Khatri is ahead with 4,565 votes, compared to ABVP’s Rishabh Chaudhary, who has 4,072 votes.
• Secretary: NSUI’s Namrata Jeph Meena leads with 3,609 votes, slightly ahead of ABVP’s Mitravinda Karanwal with 3,580 votes.
• Joint Secretary: NSUI’s Lokesh Choudhary dominates with 4,917 votes, well ahead of ABVP’s Aman Kapasia, who has 3,103 votes.
• Vice President: The Vice President post remains in ABVP’s favour, with Bhanu Pratap Singh leading with 4,336 votes over NSUI’s Yash Nandal, who has 3,441 votes.
A Record Voter Turnout Amid High Expectations
This year, the DUSU elections saw a significant turnout, with 51,379 votes cast from the 1.45 lakh eligible voters. The elections were held as scheduled on 27th September 2024. However, the counting process, originally set for 28th September, was delayed by the Delhi High Court due to allegations of public property defacement by candidates. The counting resumed today, 25th November 2024, under stringent regulations at the North Campus building.
Early Trends: ABVP Ahead in Vice President Race
The early rounds of counting offered mixed fortunes for the leading parties. After the third round, ABVP’s Bhanu Pratap Singh gained a decisive lead for the vice-president post with 4,336 votes, while NSUI’s Yash Nadal trailed behind at 3,441. However, NSUI maintained a lead in the presidential race, with Ronak Khatri securing 4,565 votes, ahead of ABVP’s Rishabh Chaudhary, who garnered 4,072 votes.
The detailed vote count after the fourth round is as follows:
NSUI Falters as ABVP Claims College-Level Victories
Upon reviewing the results, it is ABVP that has dominated the college-level elections this year. They have secured all positions in prominent colleges like Hansraj College, Ramjas College, and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College. Additionally, ABVP displayed overwhelming victories across colleges such as Maharaja Agrasen College, Shivaji College, and Rajguru College, where they won eight seats.
In contrast, NSUI managed to win a smaller share of seats, securing some representation in institutions like Bhagini Nivedita College and Shyam Lal College, but fell short of replicating its earlier successes. ABVP’s widespread wins highlight its strategic planning and extensive campus outreach efforts leading up to the elections. Read the full report here
The Key Contenders
This year’s elections feature 21 candidates contesting four key posts:
The Legacy of DUSU Elections
The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, which began in 1954, are a pivotal event for the 52 participating colleges out of 63 affiliated with the university. Over the years, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has often dominated the elections. Notably, in 2015, ABVP secured a clean sweep by winning all four posts.
In subsequent years, ABVP maintained a stronghold, winning three posts in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2023. However, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has displayed resilience, particularly in 2017, when it broke ABVP’s dominance by winning two posts. NSUI has also consistently secured the vice-president position in many years, disrupting ABVP’s otherwise steady control.
The elections continue to be a reflection of the evolving dynamics of student politics at Delhi University, with voter turnout fluctuating between 36.90% in 2016 and 43.80% in 2018.
What Lies Ahead?
With counting still underway, NSUI has taken the lead in several key posts, showcasing a strong performance. Meanwhile, ABVP remains a formidable contender, particularly in the vice-president race. This closely fought election highlights the competitive nature of DUSU politics. The final results, expected later today, will determine the ultimate composition of the central panel and significantly influence the direction of student politics at Delhi University for the year ahead.
Stay tuned for updates as the results unfold.