New Delhi: After facing objections from student groups over its Rs 1-lakh surety bond for Delhi University Students’ Union elections, DU on Thursday clarified that the provision was a “technical requirement” aimed at curbing defacement on the campus and didn’t require the candidates to deposit the money upfront or keep it in their bank account.The university said the bond was introduced on the recommendation of a poll reform committee set up last year after large-scale defacement during the 2024 DUSU elections had drawn Supreme Court’s ire. The court had pulled up DU for failing to check posters, graffiti and pamphlets, and even stalled the declaration of election results until the defacement was cleared.“This is not a financial barrier for students. Rs 1 lakh is only an upper cap. The actual recovery, if defacement is found, will be decided case by case and could be as low as Rs 10,000,” chief election officer Raj Kishor Sharma said. Describing the objection as a “misunderstanding”, the administration also said parents were not the only guarantors allowed. “The bond can be signed by parents, guardians, friends or even supporters. Essentially, the guarantor takes responsibility to pay the penalty in case of a violation,” an official said. Delhi High Court recently disposed of a plea against the bond after DU submitted that there was no requirement to deposit any money to fight the election. Sharma said positive changes were already visible on the campus. “Unlike previous years, we are not seeing walls plastered with posters or roads littered with pamphlets. A dedicated online platform has been created where any complaint can be submitted with geo-tagged evidence. Our committee will verify the complaints before taking action,” he clarified. So far, DU said, no defacement-related complaint has been reported.The CEO said civic bodies, police and traffic police had been roped in to ensure compliance. “Police patrolling has been stepped up, including at night, and traffic violations are being monitored. Several vehicles with black films have already been challaned.” Special observer committees will continue to visit high-footfall areas to check for violations. The university said it had held regular meetings with candidates to explain the bond and received several representations from student outfits, including delegations to the vice-chancellor. “We want to make it clear — no money is required, only a guarantee in line with the court’s direction,” the administration said.
