ABVP wins DU, Left takes JNU
The Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad has retained its stronghold of Delhi University, winning 3 out of the 4 central panel posts of DUSU. In Jawaharlal Nehru University, the left made a complete sweep, winning all four seats, while the ABVP managed just one councillor seat in Sanskrit Studies. 45,400 votes were polled in DUSU, while only 5,181 votes were cast in JNU.
Student union elections in Delhi University and JNU
Thousands of students across Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU) voted to elect representatives for the student union on 9th Sep. Elections at the Delhi University will be held over two phases and across 117 booths. Student elections are being held in 51 colleges of Delhi University. A total of 35 candidates from JNU and DU are contesting these student polls.
2016 Student Polls
A total of 1,30,000 students will be casting their vote in these elections. DU Students' Union president, Vice-President, secretary and general secretary are to be elected. Eighteen candidates are contesting the elections at JNU whereas DU has put up seventeen candidates. Communist Party of India backed AISA, RSS backed student wing ABVP and Congress backed NSUI are crucial parties to watch out for.
What is different this time?
Student polls in DU and JNU campuses are keenly watched this time owing to the 'nationalism debate' that erupted in February. On February 9, JNU and its student-leader, Kanhaiya Kumar, made front-page news for allegedly shouting anti-national statements. Kumar and two others were arrested on sedition charges. A 'Left-Unity' alliance has come about to ensure that RSS backed ABVP candidates don't win any seats.
'Presidential Debates' at JNU
Over and above the traditional campaign, JNU candidates must deliver speeches on their election agenda following which they are questioned during the 'Presidential debate'. This event usually extends through the night and the 'Presidential Debate' is a determining factor in the student polls.
Key strategies of 2016 student elections
For the first time, an alliance called 'Left-Unity' has been stitched up by AISA, the student wing of the Communist Party of India and the Students Federation of India (SFI). AISF, of which Kanhaiya Kumar is a member, has opted out of elections to avoid vote-splitting. Students Front for Swaraj, the student wing of Swaraj Abhiyan, is fielding candidates for the first time.
Chief Election Commissioner
For the first time ever, a girl has been appointed to serve as the Chief Election Commissioner for this year's student union polls.
