Delhi University to enforce Lyngdoh panel guidelines in next DUSU polls: VC

Delhi University VC Yogesh Singh implements Lyngdoh panel guidelines for DUSU elections, emphasizing restrictions and academic focus.

Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh has said that the varsity will implement Lyngdoh panel guidelines and the next Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections will have more "limitations and restrictions" to ensure smoother conduct. 

"Nobody should deface walls. What happened during elections in the past, huge amounts of money and muscle power, is not expected. We don't want to repeat these things, and next time, we will see a change. We will implement Lyngdoh Committee recommendations," Mr. Singh said in an interview with PTI.

He further added that "now there will be limitations and restrictions," in an apparent reference to new measures to curb malpractices in student politics.

Mr. Singh also acknowledged concerns raised by students who feel that elections disrupted their academic activities. "Many students just want to study, and they should have that right without disturbances," he said.

Last year, the Delhi High Court said officials of Delhi University and its colleges had failed to appreciate the true import of the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, which prohibit the defacement of public property and the use of printed posters during the students union elections.

According to the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, a candidate cannot spend more than ₹5,000. They also state that the candidates can only use voluntary contributions from the student body for their campaign.  The guidelines also do not allow candidates to use any printed material, including posters, for canvassing. There are other limitations as well regarding funding and campaigning. 

Any contravention of these recommendations may make the candidate liable to be stripped of his candidature or his elected post, and the authorities may also take appropriate disciplinary action against such a violator, as stated in the guidelines.