Delhi University's Biggest Political Contest of the Year
Counting for the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections 2026 began on Saturday, September 19, at 8:00 AM under heavy security at the University Sports Stadium on the North Campus. The results for four central posts — President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary — are being contested by 20 candidates from the ABVP, NSUI, and the AISA-SFI alliance, and were expected to be declared by afternoon.
The 2026 DUSU election recorded a 40.46% voter turnout across 52 polling centres — up from 39.5% in 2025 — making it one of the more participative editions in recent memory.
The Presidential Race: Dabas vs Meena
After six rounds of counting as of late morning, ABVP's Yash Dabas was leading the presidential contest with 7,346 votes, ahead of NSUI's Vijay Shankar Meena with 6,760 votes. AISA-SFI's Ananya Raturi was in third position.
Chief Returning Officer Dr Rajesh Singh stated that arrangements for the counting process were "absolutely foolproof," with Delhi Police deployed in force across the campus and robust security measures ensuring an orderly process following the Delhi High Court's ban on victory processions — a measure introduced to prevent the disorder that has occasionally marred post-result celebrations.
Other Central Contests
- Vice-President: ABVP's Ishu Maurya vs NSUI's Veer Chatrath, with both running close early rounds.
- Secretary: ABVP's Riya Chhabri leading with 5,216 votes in Round 5, ahead of NSUI's Namrata Chaudhary (3,767) and Left candidate Stanzin Deskyong (1,995).
- Joint Secretary: Independent candidate Vishesh Yadav leading with 4,270 votes after Round 5, followed by ABVP's Lakshya Raj Singh (3,857) and NSUI's Gopal Choudhary (3,421).
Issues That Drove This Election
Student concerns during the 2026 DUSU campaign were notably practical: accommodation, campus safety, public transport concessions, cost of living in Delhi, and access to student services. The Satya Niketan building collapse — which killed seven people, including five students — placed housing affordability and safety front and centre in election debates, with all major student organisations presenting rival housing proposals.
Historical Context
The DUSU election is not merely a student union contest — it has been a barometer of political wind for the BJP and Congress, whose student wings ABVP and NSUI respectively dominate the ballot. In 2025, ABVP won three of the four central panel positions including the presidency. In 2024, NSUI had won the presidency. The 2026 contest, with ABVP leading after early rounds, suggests the RSS-affiliated student organisation is on course to retain its dominant position.
A Noteworthy Process: EVMs and No Victory Processions
The 2026 elections used 960 Electronic Voting Machines across 52 polling centres, with 1,000 additional EVMs on standby. In an important institutional precedent, the Delhi High Court mandated that winning candidates and their supporters refrain from organising victory processions — a decision aimed at preventing the disruption and occasional violence that has accompanied past results.
Key Takeaways
- DUSU election counting began September 19 with ABVP's Yash Dabas leading the presidential race after six rounds.
- Voter turnout was 40.46% — the highest in recent years — across 52 centres with over 1.51 lakh eligible voters.
- The Delhi High Court banned victory processions to prevent post-result disorder.
- ABVP leading in president and secretary races; Joint Secretary race sees an independent candidate leading early.
- Student issues: accommodation, safety, transport concessions, and campus costs drove campaign narratives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the DUSU presidential race 2026?
As of the sixth round of counting, ABVP's Yash Dabas leads with 7,346 votes over NSUI's Vijay Shankar Meena's 6,760 votes.
When were DUSU 2026 elections held?
Voting took place on September 18, 2026, with counting commencing on September 19, 2026.
What is DUSU?
DUSU stands for Delhi University Students' Union, the elected student body of Delhi University with four central positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary.
Conclusion
The DUSU 2026 results are shaping up as another ABVP-dominated contest, reflecting broader political currents in North India. Beyond partisan politics, however, the election matters because it channels student energy into institutional channels and forces campus leadership to grapple with real issues — housing, safety, and the everyday pressures that India's young people face. Whatever the final results, the students of Delhi University have shown, with a 40.46% turnout, that they still believe their vote counts.
