Delhi High Court Orders Preservation of DUSU Poll EVMs Amid Tampering Row

In a dramatic turn of events surrounding the recent Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections, the Delhi High Court has issued a crucial directive, ordering the preservation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) utilized in the polls. This significant decision comes in response to serious allegations of tampering and discrepancies in the vote counting process, casting a shadow over the integrity of the student elections.

Justice Sachin Datta, presiding over the case, passed the interim order on October 13, 2023, while also issuing notices to key stakeholders including the Election Commission of India (ECI), Delhi University (DU), and the DUSU Chief Election Officer.

The court's intervention was prompted by a petition filed by Hitesh Yadav, a defeated candidate from the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), who challenged the election of Tushar Dedha of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to the coveted post of DUSU President.

Yadav's petition meticulously highlighted several alarming inconsistencies that raised questions about the fairness of the electoral outcome.

Central to his claims was a noticeable mismatch between the total number of votes purportedly polled and the actual votes counted across various EVMs. The plea specifically pointed out discrepancies in 24 EVMs, suggesting a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents.

Adding further fuel to the controversy, the petitioner also raised concerns about an unusually high number of 'None of the Above' (NOTA) votes recorded.

Such a high count, according to the plea, warranted deeper scrutiny and potentially indicated an underlying problem with the voting process or the machines themselves. The initial vote counting process, which took place on September 23, 2023, had to be abruptly halted due to these very issues, further corroborating the allegations of irregularities.

The High Court's order for EVM preservation is a critical step, ensuring that the evidence remains intact for a thorough investigation into these serious allegations.

This legal battle not only challenges the outcome of a student union election but also brings into sharp focus the broader debate surrounding the reliability and transparency of electronic voting systems, particularly when allegations of tampering surface. As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on the Delhi High Court to deliver a verdict that upholds the principles of fair and democratic elections within one of India's most prestigious universities.