No posters, no dhols, no roadshows: DU declares war on poll pollution

With the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections approaching, the university has, for the first time, issued a comprehensive set of anti-defacement guidelines well before announcing the poll date, marking a departure from last year’s controversy when the High Court had to step in after widespread defacement, in and around the campus, delayed the declaration of results.

In 2024, the Delhi High Court had directed the university to ensure all campaign graffiti and posters were removed before vote counting could begin. The court made it clear that the exercise was “corrective rather than punitive” and ordered that results, originally scheduled for September 27, be declared only after DU submitted an affidavit confirming the clean-up. The outcome was eventually announced in November.

Learning from the episode, the university’s latest notification seeks to pre-empt violations. One of the most notable provisions mandates that all students sign an anti-defacement affidavit at the time of admission, on the lines of the existing anti-ragging declaration. Colleges, departments and affiliated centres will also hold orientation sessions to sensitise students on discipline, the protection of public property and acceptable campaign conduct.

The notification also says the campaigning will be tightly regulated. Each institution may have only two designated “walls of democracy” for putting up election material.

The varsity officials, quoting the notification, said a dedicated online portal at both the university and college levels will inform students about their rights and responsibilities and provide a mechanism to report violations.

According to the notification, every candidate will have to furnish a Rs 1 lakh bond with their nomination to cover potential defacement or related offences by them or their supporters. As per the guidelines, candidates have also been instructed to immediately remove any unauthorised posters, especially those with misspelt names aimed at evading accountability, and report such instances to the nearest police station within 24 hours.

“Failing to do so may invite a fine of Rs 25,000, suspension, rustication, or even disqualification from contesting elections,” it stated.

The rules impose a blanket ban on posters, rallies, roadshows, vehicle-mounted canvassing, loudspeakers, “Shakti Pradarshan” and the use of dhols, even after results are declared. Only legitimate electronic media campaigning is allowed, and candidates’ names must match official school certificates unless legally changed and accepted by the university.

Colleges and departments will form Prevention of Defacement of Property Committees, mirrored at the university level, with details displayed on notice boards and websites. Institutions are encouraged to host candidate debates, which may be recorded and uploaded online. Additionally, entry of outsiders has been restricted, and colleges have been asked to consider installing biometric or facial recognition systems for access control.

The officials said acts of defacement will be treated as gross indiscipline, attracting penalties under the university ordinances, the Metro Rail (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007, and orders from the NGT and Delhi High Court.

“DUSU office-bearers will be permitted to book only three venues, the Conference Centre, Shankar Lal Hall and Room 22 of the arts faculty for official events, subject to clearance from the DUSU adviser and payment of fees,” the officials added.