NEW DELHI: Delhi University has dropped the controversial Rs 1 lakh anti-defacement surety bond introduced last year for candidates contesting the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, TOI has learnt.Instead, candidates will be required to sign an affidavit agreeing to abide by the anti-defacement rules this year as per the Lyngdoh Committee Guidelines, National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, and the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.The earlier bond required parents/guardians to consent to the candidature and stand as surety, besides furnishing bank details, triggering criticism from student groups who argued that it could discourage students from economically weaker backgrounds from contesting. “Students will not be required to furnish any financial undertaking or meet any financial prerequisite for signing the affidavit,” an official said.The university subsequently clarified before the Delhi High Court, after the matter went to the court that candidates did not have to deposit the Rs 1 lakh, and that an affidavit and security/surety arrangement would suffice.Meanwhile, the university on Thursday issued the DUSU election schedule. DUSU elections will be held on September 18, with counting of votes and declaration of results scheduled for September 19. The last date for filing nominations is September 10, while the final list of candidates will be published on September 11.DU has also retained stringent restrictions on campaigning this year. Printed posters, banners, flex and other printed campaign material will be prohibited, with candidates allowed to use only handmade posters at designated “Walls of Democracy”. Block printing, spray-painting and writing on walls will also be prohibited.Candidates will be allowed a maximum of five cars for campaigning. Stickers bearing candidates’ names on vehicles, gifts and souvenirs will be barred, while only five members of a candidate’s team will be allowed to campaign inside a college at a time. Prior intimation will be required for public meetings. Violations can lead to cancellation of nomination. The rules draw on Delhi High Court directions and Lyngdoh Committee recommendations.DUSU is currently controlled by the ABVP, which won three of the four central posts in the 2025 polls. Aryan Maan is the president, Kunal Choudhary the secretary and Deepika Jha the joint secretary, while NSUI’s Rahul Jhansla is the vice-president.
