Delhi University caps vehicles, bans animals in student election campaign

The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, expected in September, will see stricter campaign norms this year. The university has capped the number of vehicles per candidate at five and banned the use of animals, tractors, and JCBs during campaigning.

The directions were issued by DU Proctor Manoj Kumar Singh following a meeting with current DUSU office-bearers and representatives of student organisations on Thursday. Mr Singh said the stricter norms were based on directions and past observations of the Delhi High Court.

“Writing names behind cars is extremely common. There have also been instances of campaigning with elephants, horses, tractors and JCBs,” he said.

The High Court had in 2024 taken suo motu cognisance of large-scale defacement of public property and the use of luxury vehicles and heavy machinery during DUSU campaigning. The court halted the counting of votes until defaced sites were cleaned, a clean-up that cost the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) nearly ₹1 crore.

The university reiterated that there should be no defacement of public property in and around the campus. “No billboards (printed or digital) or banners are to be pasted or suspended from poles,” Mr Singh said.

A new restriction this year bars candidates from using name stickers on vehicles. Tinted or unregistered vehicles are also prohibited, and unauthorised vehicles may be challaned or towed.

Printed material remains banned; only handmade posters are allowed on designated “Wall of Democracy” spaces. Flex displays on MCD boards are prohibited, with violations to be reported.

The academic session begins on July 28, and the DUSU election is due within six to eight weeks as per Lyngdoh Committee guidelines. The schedule is to be announced shortly. Candidates have been asked to seek prior approval for public meetings, with limits on campaigners and access to hostels. DU has barred the distribution of gifts and use of promotional materials. Violations could lead to disqualification, an official said.

Student organisations expressed mixed views. Anjali, secretary of the All India Students’ Association, DU unit, said, “They are curbing student expression in the name of defacement. Instead, nominations of those defacing property should be cancelled.” Sarthak Sharma, Delhi secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, termed the guidelines a “positive step”, but added, “they must be implemented impartially.”