Around 44 candidates are in the fray for the post of Delhi University Students’ Union president, 34 for the post of vice-president, 50 for secretary, and 34 for joint secretary, according to the provisional nomination list of short-listed candidates released by the Election Commissioner here on Wednesday.
This, however, is not the final list as Friday is the last day for withdrawal of nomination. “After that the real campaigning can begin, although the candidates have been talking to students and visiting classrooms since the beginning of the term,” said Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad member Rohit Chahal.
The National Students’ Union of India, on the other hand, has been trying to earn some goodwill by hosting fresher’s parties and competitions replete with celebrity visits.
The All-India Students’ Association has been carrying out a series of protests and talking earnestly to students about issues that they intend to take up if they get elected.
Meanwhile, the Chief Election Officer issued a set of instructions, detailing the code of conduct to be followed during the elections. These include timings of campaigning and the places where posters can be pasted.
The Vice-Chancellor also issued a statement asking all students to participate in the elections without, “fear, coercion and favour and to elect their representatives most conscientiously and judiciously”.
The elections will take place on September 13. Last year, the election results were marred by violence when the ABVP cried foul. This time, closed circuit television cameras have been installed at all the polling booths.