DUSU election — “Vote chori” allegations at Hansraj College and elsewhere
Summary:
Allegations of vote tampering — widely described on social media and by NSUI leaders as “vote chori” — surfaced during voting for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) on September 18, 2025, with complaints centered on EVM/ink irregularities and procedural problems reported at multiple colleges including Hansraj and Kirori Mal. University authorities, some college administrations and police have responded with denials or calls for calm, while student groups have demanded investigations and transparency ahead of counting on September 19. (Times of India, New Indian Express)
What Happened?
- Voting for DUSU took place on September 18, 2025 (day scholars 8:30–13:00; evening 15:00–19:30). Large turnout was reported across North Campus and affiliated colleges. (Times of India, NDTV)
- During the day NSUI’s presidential candidate Joslyn Nandita Choudhary and other NSUI members publicly alleged that EVMs and/or ink-markings were being manipulated to favour ABVP candidates, saying the same “blue ink” markings were visible on multiple machines and that voters were being told machines were not working and asked to wait in rooms — allegations framed by opponents as “vote chori”. (Free Press Journal, The Statesman)
- Video clips and short-form posts appearing on social platforms amplified the allegations; some clips claimed students were seated away from polling areas while “issues” were sorted. These social posts helped push the issue into mainstream media coverage. (Times Now)
Responses from Authorities & Colleges
- Hansraj College issued a statement denying the allegations and said voting at the college was being conducted under supervision and CCTV monitoring; it called the claims “baseless.” (New Indian Express)
- The chief election officer described some of the reported incidents as “mischievous” and noted it was unusual for similar issues to surface at multiple colleges; university officials said they were looking into complaints. (New Indian Express)
- Delhi Police / campus security presence was high across campuses after earlier clashes during campaigning; police and proctorial notices had warned against muscle and money power in the run-up to polls. The Delhi High Court had also recently admonished parties to avoid use of money and muscle ahead of voting. (Indian Express)
Wider Context — Tensions Ahead of Polling
Campaigning had already seen clashes and allegations of intimidatory tactics (notably an ABVP–NSUI scuffle at Kirori Mal on the final day of campaigning), and the Delhi High Court had publicly criticized the use of money and muscle in DUSU polls. Those pre-existing tensions framed how quickly vote-related claims escalated on September 18. (Times of India, Indian Express)
What’s Verified vs. What’s Alleged
- Verified facts: Voting happened on Sept 18 at DU colleges; there were high security deployments and at least one reported clash during the campaign period; university/proctorial notices and an HC hearing addressing violations were on record. (Times of India, Times of India, Indian Express)
- Allegations still under question/contested: Claims of uniform EVM “blue ink” favouring a party, systematic EVM tampering, or organised “vote theft” across several polling stations — these have been loudly asserted by NSUI leaders and social media, but at the time of reporting have been denied by some college administrations and described by poll officials as “mischievous” or unverified. (Free Press Journal, New Indian Express)
Reactions from Student Groups & Calls for Action
- NSUI: demanded immediate transparency, counting-room oversight and investigations into EVM/ink claims; urged authorities to allow observers and to preserve machines and ballots (where applicable). (Free Press Journal, The Statesman)
- ABVP: while some local activists were accused in social posts, major ABVP statements in national media in the immediate coverage either rejected the allegations or pointed to administrative control of EVMs and called for calm. (Times of India, NDTV)
What to Expect Next
Counting scheduled for September 19, 2025. If formal complaints (FIRs, election petitions) are filed, they may prompt police probes, university inquiry committees, or requests to the courts to examine the conduct at particular colleges. The Delhi High Court has already shown judicial sensitivity to DUSU poll-code breaches, meaning any credible evidence of systematic malpractice could attract quick legal attention. (Times of India, Indian Express)
