JNU elections: Counting of votes stopped after reports of violence; media barred from entering campus

ABVP on the other hand has refused to the allegations of violence stating that their party agent was kept from the counting centre and that everyone should contest the election in a clean manner.

New Delhi: 68% students came out to vote for keenly contested a JNUSU election, which is believed to be the highest in six years.  Over 5,000 students cast their votes; but the counting of the same had to be stopped following unrest. Incidents of violence were reported during the voting during JNUSU polls. As per the allegations of NSUI, ‘ABVP is upset over its win’. Media barred from entering: ABVP on the other hand has refused to the allegations of violence stating that their party agent was kept from the counting centre and that everyone should contest the election in a clean manner. After the violence, entry of media inside JNU has been banned. As per the security guard, the restriction has been put following the order of CEC. Voting percentage in previous years: Last year and in 2016, the voting percentage was 59 per cent. In 2015, the voting percentage was 55 per cent. In 2013 and 2014, the percentage hovered around 55 per cent while in 2012; the voter turnout had reached 60 per cent. Slogans and dhapli beats filled the air on the JNU campus as candidates and their supporters made last-ditch efforts to sway voters in their favour outside the polling centres. The voters wanted the candidates to raise issues concerning the campus instead of national issues.