Pamphlets, vehicle rallies put Lyngdoh rules to test

New Delhi: The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections on Friday saw campaign activities that appeared to violate several rules governing student polls, with printed pamphlets scattered around North Campus, vehicle rallies and the distribution of campaign materials around South Campus.

Around North Campus, printed pamphlets bearing candidates’ names were scattered on roads and footpaths. People travelling in vehicles threw pamphlets, particularly around Chhatra Marg and near colleges such as Kirori Mal and Hansraj, while students on motorcycles distributed candidate cards as they moved between colleges.

In South Campus, SUVs and other vehicles moved around university roads as students campaigned for candidates.

The campaigning and the run-up to the election have come under the spotlight again as the Delhi High Court on Friday took note of repeated violations of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations during the DUSU elections and proposed imposing collective electoral damages on students and student organisations found violating the norms.

“Having noted frequent violations on the part of the students, candidates and student organisations, we propose to impose collective damages not only on the students found violating the norms but also the student organisations,” the bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said.

The court also barred victory processions after the declaration of results and warned of further action for violations. The Lyngdoh Committee recommendations prohibit candidates from using printed posters, pamphlets or other printed materials for canvassing and allow only handmade posters at designated places. They also restrict processions and public meetings outside campuses and prohibit candidates and their supporters from defacing university property.

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The Hans India