The DUSU election results are out and ABVP has won 3 out of the 4 seats while NSUI managed to win 1 out of 4. DUSU elections are fought annually along with the college’s student union elections.
The purpose behind the DUSU elections is to strengthen the voice of the students and fight for their rights. Looking at the present scenario, it is very difficult to say that the union is fulfilling its purpose. Being a student of DU and having seen two elections, I can say that most of the students don’t even know the names of the candidates. If anyone is unaware about the candidates then how will they vote and decide who is a better candidate? This is definitely not a positive sign. In my first year of college, I was in the same situation. I saw the names of the candidates for the first time on the EVM and I had to make my decision in ten seconds to choose the person who will fight for my rights.
Looking at the condition of the university ,it needs a lot of improvement. There is a difference between the infrastructure of north campus colleges and other colleges and the university has been unable to fill the differences in so many years. A hostel is one of those things that a outsider like me looks for in any institute. The lack of hostels is one of the primary concerns for the students coming from other parts of India. Finding accommodation in an unknown city is a tough job. Sports facilities can also be improved in many colleges. Placement cells of some colleges are unable to function properly. Why doesn’t the student union make a placement cell for all the students of the university?
The above-mentioned issues are raised in the DUSU manifesto of many student organisations but nothing happens after that, apart from mentioning the similar issues in the manifesto of the next student election. They are not even questioned because many are unaware about the name of candidates and even if they know the candidate, it is very unlikely that they will get a chance to question the candidate as they visit the colleges for only a few minutes.
DUSU elections are fought by spreading the pamphlets and wasting valuable paper. We can easily see thousands of pamphlets on the ground near the college gate of any DU college during elections. Whenever a DUSU candidate enters any college, they come with several students and start showcasing power. This has become the nature of DUSU elections which is very troubling.
After looking at this, we will have to make or appeal for certain changes in DUSU elections. Since there are 90 colleges under DU, it will be difficult for a candidate to approach each and every student. Therefore, the university can divide the DUSU into zones so that both the candidates and the students will be in a position to convey their message. The university can also restrict the number pamphlets used by a candidate.
The DUSU elections will become relevant for students only when some positive changes are made to it. For this, both the students and the union will have to work harder and force the university to make changes.