Sidelights — Delhi

Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members made themselves comfortable in the office of chief election officer Professor S.S. Aggar...

Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members made themselves comfortable in the office of chief election officer Professor S.S. Aggarwal and even took to answering the phone calls that came for Aggarwal. Ironically, the members, who had gheraoed Aggarwal in his office this evening, were protesting that some NSUI candidates had canvassed in the Kalkaji area using loudspeakers on the polling morning!

Ramjas College: The attention of all officials on duty in the polling room was at the door, where 10 minutes before polling closed there was a sudden influx of voters. As they used their expertise in crowd management, voters inside the room sat down together, scratched their heads, discussed the candidates and then cast their vote. The theme here was: “With just a little help from your friends”.

Kirori Mal College: Towards the end of the voting period, there is a scramble near the entrance of the polling rooms. Supporters are shouting at students who have not yet cast their vote. “Go and do it now,” they order and freshers scuttle around to do their duty. Then, there are students who want to vote but have no identity cards and are trying to get it from the college office. Taking full advantage of the confusion, few supporter sneak into the polling room and help students caste their vote — right under the nose of three college officials monitoring the voting.

There was a policeman at every corner of the campus, their khaki blending well with the tight jeans and bright tops. Leaning on their lathis, they kept a wary eye on the students. A little after the morning session of polling finished at 11.30 a.m., the khaki-clad men took a break. Spotted in the North Campus were policemen riding rickshaws, all on a lunch break.