ABVP Claims Three Central Posts in DUSU Elections as Turnout Rises

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad secured three of the four central panel positions in the Delhi University Students' Union elections, while an independent candidate captured the vice-presidential seat following 20 rounds of vote counting. The electoral outcome concluded after a competitive contest across the campus, supported by a voter turnout that climbed to 40.46% from the 39.5% recorded in the previous year.

Election officials oversaw the counting process at the multipurpose hall of Delhi University's North Campus Sports Stadium after unsealing strong rooms in the morning hours. Authorities deployed over 2,000 police and paramilitary personnel across the campus, while the Delhi Traffic Police issued advisory measures restricting movement along major roads around the North Campus zone. In compliance with Delhi High Court directions, officials instructed winning candidates and their supporters to refrain from taking out victory processions on or outside university grounds.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad candidates claimed victory in the presidential, secretary, and joint secretary contests. Yash Dabas won the presidential race with 24,576 votes, defeating National Students' Union of India candidate Vijay Shankar Meena, who secured 22,523 votes after a tight contest that featured alternating leads during earlier counting rounds. Riya Chhawdi secured the secretary position with 21,650 votes, while Lakshya Raj Singh won the joint secretary post with 16,615 votes.

Despite retaining three central posts, the winning margins for the organization contracted notably compared to the previous election cycle. Aggregate winning margins dropped from 23,873 votes in the prior year down to 9,671 votes. The National Students' Union of India failed to secure any of the four central panel seats, drawing a blank in the final tally despite strong performances in initial counting rounds.

Independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen, a former member of the National Students' Union of India, created a notable outcome by winning the vice-presidential post with 30,615 votes. Shokeen finished ahead of ABVP candidate Ishu Maurya, who secured 16,910 votes, and NSUI candidate Vir Chatrath, who received 4,313 votes.

Following his victory, Shokeen stated that he received backing from students across diverse segments of the university, including politically active groups and unaffiliated students. He declared his intention to focus on honest student representation and highlighted ongoing advocacy regarding campus safety and welfare issues. Shokeen had previously taken a public stance following a fatal accommodation building collapse in Satya Niketan, pledging to avoid wearing shoes until justice is delivered to the victims.

Newly elected student representatives outlined their immediate institutional agendas following the formal declaration of results. President-elect Yash Dabas emphasized that expanding hostel accommodations for students remains a primary objective for his administration. Dabas also addressed administrative queries and election complaints raised by rival student factions during the polling process.

Secretary-elect Riya Chhawdi identified female safety as the central priority of her tenure. Chhawdi noted that her victory followed an earlier electoral defeat, urging students to maintain persistence in their goals. Prominent political figures, including Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, issued congratulatory messages celebrating the electoral outcome.