Counting for high-stakes JNUSU elections underway

Counting of votes for the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections is underway amid tight security at the School of International Studies. The result is expected to be announced tomorrow.

The atmosphere on the campus remains charged yet patient as students keenly follow updates from the counting venue. With ballot boxes opened and votes being tallied through the day, small groups of students can be seen gathered near hostels, dhabas and the administrative block, discussing early trends and booth-wise predictions.

“It’s a mix of excitement and anxiety. Everyone has their own theory about who’s leading, but no one knows for sure. People are checking their phones constantly for updates,” said Ritu Sharma, a postgraduate student from the School of Social Sciences.

The voter turnout this year stood at nearly 67 per cent. The main contest is between the Left Unity alliance and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), both confident of a strong showing.

“We’ve seen a massive response from students. This election was about defending democratic spaces on the campus, and we’re hopeful the mandate will reflect that,” said Left Unity Joint secretary candidate Danish Ali.

ABVP’s presidential candidate Vikas Patel said the organisation campaigned on “practical student issues,” including better hostel facilities, research support and campus safety. “Students responded positively to our message. We are confident of a clear verdict,” he added.

The university, known for its vibrant political culture, has witnessed an intense but largely peaceful election season this year. Posters and campaign slogans that once filled the campus have now given way to quiet conversations and cautious optimism. At Ganga Dhaba and Sabarmati lawns, discussions over tea and samosas revolve around counting updates, alliances, and the possible margins of victory.

According to the JNUSU Election Committee, the counting process is still going on. Results for all four central panel posts - president, vice president, general secretary and joint secretary - are likely to be declared by Thursday.

The JNU announced that all classes will remain suspended on November 6 due to the declaration of the results.