In a press conference organised in Delhi regarding the decision of Delhi HC to withhold the counting of votes of Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections to restore the defacement of public property, ABVP General Secretary, Yagywalkya Shukla, while addressing the conference, stated that the results of the DUSU election should be announced at the earliest as the representation of students is necessary. Students’ Union is a powerful medium to raise the issues of youth and the education sector.
He further stated that during the DUSU election related hearing in Delhi High Court, various stakeholders were not called upon to present their point of views in the court. Among various issues, the rules of DUSU elections need reforms as per the current requirements. For instance, the rule of spending only Rs 5,000 is unfair in context to Delhi University Students’ Union election where almost 1,50,000 voters are there to cast their votes. In addition to this, other rules related to the DUSU elections must be amended as per the requirements of today. The student wing of the Aam Aadmi Party has faced defeat twice in the DUSU elections and is in response trying to defame the DUSU elections under the garb of another identity, to vent its frustration at the continued rejection of their politics by the students of DU.
ABVP National Secretary, Shivangi Kharwal, stated that in order to discuss the reforms in the conducting The Students’ Union elections, a high level committee must be constituted that comprises former vice chancellors, academicians, the representatives of student organisations, members of students’ unions and other specialists, so that the point of view of each stakeholder is considered. The reforms in the conduct of Students’ Union election is impossible without considering the views of the stakeholders involved.
ABVP Delhi State Secretary, Harsh Attri, stated that, “On one hand, various institutions and bodies are conducting their respective elections, while on the other hand, in various educational institutions, various conspiracies are created to bring about an end to the students’ union elections. Instead of shutting down the Students’ Union election by pointing out the issues, significant reforms should be made in the direction of solving those issues. Students have the democratic right to elect their representatives and this right cannot be ceased by any means.”
ABVP’s Presidential Candidate for DUSU, Rishabh Chaudhary, stated that the previous ABVP led DUSU came up with various initiatives in their tenure including “One Day – One DUSU President” to create an understanding of Students’ Union elections among students. To improve the conduct of Students’ Union elections, Professors and other officials should be trained properly. Various initiatives like President’s Speech, providing attendance, video appeals etc were taken up in Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, DU which resulted in a good voter turnout in the Students’ Union election. Such positive initiatives should be taken by every stakeholder in each college to give a positive direction to various issues related to Students’ Union elections.
