With students thronging the Delhi University campus on Friday to cast their vote for the student union (DUSU) election, the voting saw a 42.3 per cent turnout.
The election, which this year were dominated by issues such as right to accommodation, women security and transport problems faced by the varsity students, was a clear battle between Congress’ National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). However, the voting percentage did see a slight decrease with last year’s percentage being 43.4 per cent which is 1.1 per cent more than this year. However, the evening numbers are yet to be declared.
Voting went off smoothly though at all 50 centres of DU. “The elections in the morning from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm went off smoothly. Minor glitches were reported in the EVM machines at four-five polling centres but were rectified soon,” said Chief Election Commissioner DS Rawat.
“The university had deployed 26 observers who visited the 50 centres where polling took place in teams of two to check violations of the code of conduct. DU administration had also installed CCTV cameras besides hiring commercial videographers to record election activities to ensure free and fair polling,” he added. The counting of votes will be taken up on Saturday after which the results will be declared.