The Delhi High Court has warned that it may stay the counting of votes and declaration of results for the DUSU elections if authorities fail to act on alleged violence during campaigning, and has sought status reports from Delhi University, Delhi Police and the Delhi government by Friday.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday warned that it could halt the counting of votes and the declaration of results in the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections if it remains unsatisfied with the action taken against those allegedly involved in violence and violations of election guidelines during campaigning.
A bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing an application seeking strict enforcement of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, anti-defacement guidelines and the DUSU Code of Conduct, filed after reports of extensive vandalism on 16 September, the final day of campaigning. The plea alleges breaches of election rules restricting each candidate to four bona fide resident students, and seeks disqualification of candidates and supporters found responsible for violations.
The court observed, “Democracy cannot be converted into a criminal society,” while noting that the material placed before it depicted an “almost complete failure” on the part of the authorities to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections despite repeated past assurances.
The bench directed Delhi University, Delhi Police and the Delhi government to file detailed status reports on the incidents and the action taken by Friday, when the matter will next be heard. It also ordered a copy of its order sent to the Delhi Police Commissioner, the Delhi Chief Secretary and the Lieutenant Governor. The court clarified that polling scheduled for 18 September was not being stayed or postponed, though a harsher order remains possible depending on the reports submitted. Results are expected to be declared on 19 September.
Image Credits: Hindustan Times
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Vidhi Ramchandani
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