Show-cause notices for eight DUSU poll contestants

Two days before Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections, the chief election officer sent show-cause notices to eight candidates on Wednesday. Four of the notices were sent to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) candidates. The other four were sent to those contesting elections from National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). 

The notices follow complaints over printed material being distributed during canvassing as this is strictly in violation of the code of conduct.

A source on condition of anonymity said: ‘The development was a gross violation of the code of conduct set by the Supreme Court in 2006, which prohibits the use of printed material for campaigning in any form, including posters and pamphlets.’ ‘After examining the evidence, we have decided to issue show-cause notices to the accused. We also received several complaints, which brought the matter to our attention. The rest will be decided after the candidates submit their replies,’ he added.

Clause 6.7 and sub-clause 6.7.5 of the 2006 SC judgment reads, ‘No candidate shall be permitted to make use of printed posters, printed pamphlets or any other printed material for the purpose of canvassing.’ 

In 2009, five candidates, all from the ABVP and the NSUI were disqualified from contesting elections on grounds of these violations.