The stage is set for the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) Election 2026 as voting commences today across various colleges of the university. The Delhi University administration has finalized all necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process. Following the conclusion of high-decibel campaigning, the focus has shifted to the polling day, where thousands of students will exercise their right to choose their representatives. Comprehensive security measures and logistical arrangements have been put in place to manage the influx of student voters at both the North and South campuses.
Polling Centers and Result Schedule
For the DUSU Election 2026, the university administration has established a total of 52 polling centers. these centers are strategically located across the North and South campuses to facilitate easy access for students. The voting process is scheduled for September 18 at these 52 designated locations. Following the conclusion of the polls, the counting of votes for the central panel will take place at the Multi-Purpose Hall. The final results of the election are slated to be officially announced on September 19, determining the new leadership of the student union.
Voting via EVMs and Technical Strategy
The DUSU elections are being conducted using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Students will cast their votes through these machines to elect the central panel members. The EVMs reached the university on September 17 and were subsequently dispatched to all 52 polling centers under tight security. To address any potential technical glitches, the administration has devised a special strategy. In the event of an EVM malfunction, a replacement machine will be provided within 10 to 15 minutes to ensure that the voting process remains uninterrupted.
Voting Shifts for Regular and Evening Colleges
To accommodate the diverse schedule of Delhi University, which operates both regular and evening colleges, the voting process has been divided into two shifts, while for students enrolled in regular colleges, the polling window is open from 8 AM to 1 PM. Meanwhile, for students attending evening colleges, the voting will take place from 3 PM to 7:30 PM. This dual-shift system ensures that every eligible student has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process without academic conflict.
Security and Identification Requirements
Ensuring a peaceful election environment is a top priority for the DU administration. Additional police forces have been requested and deployed to maintain law and order during the polling process. Alongside the police, the individual college administrations are also responsible for managing security within their premises. To cast a vote, students are required to present their official university or college identity cards. Recognizing that many first-year students may not have received their ID cards yet, the administration has allowed alternative documents. These students can vote by presenting a verified fee receipt, a bonafide certificate with a photograph, or a government-issued identity card, provided their names are included in the voter list.
Candidates and Electoral Statistics
The DUSU Election 2026 features a total of 19 candidates competing for the four key positions on the central panel. The breakdown includes 7 candidates for the post of President, 5 for Vice President, 4 for Secretary, and 4 for Joint Secretary.
- ABVP Central Panel: Yash Dabas (President), Ishu Maurya (Vice President), Riya Chhabri (Secretary), Lakshya Raj Singh (Joint Secretary).
- NSUI Central Panel: Vijay Shankar Meena (President), Vir Chatrath (Vice President), Namrata Choudhary (Secretary), Gopal Choudhary (Joint Secretary).
- AISA-SFI Central Panel: Ananya Ratudi (President), Akshat Shikhar (Vice President), Stanzin Deskyong (Secretary), B Parijat (Joint Secretary).
- SSP Central Panel: Ashmit Kumar Pawar (President), Pankaj Kumar (Secretary).
The election is conducted at two levels: the individual college student unions and the central panel. The high number of candidates reflects the intense competition and the significance of the student union in representing the interests of the university's vast student body.