Panjab University Student Polls: Students Clash With Police, Protest Over Voting Irregularities

August 31, 2026

Chandigarh: Tension prevailed at Panjab University in Chandigarh on Monday as students staged protests over voting-related issues during the Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) elections, with the situation leading to a scuffle between some students and police personnel.

Polling for the student council elections began at 9:30 a.m. amid tight security arrangements across the university campus. This year, around 16,500 students are eligible to vote, with 16 candidates in the fray for various posts, including four candidates contesting for the president’s position.

#WATCH | Chandigarh: Panjab University Student Council (PUSU) Elections | Students engaged in sloganeering both inside and outside the Law Department area at Panjab University regarding the student union elections. Some students breached the security arrangements put in place by… pic.twitter.com/NfOUee2mZO

— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2026

Students protest over voting

The situation became tense near the Law Department and the University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) after some students who arrived late were reportedly stopped from entering the polling areas.

Students raised objections and staged protests, with slogans being raised against the concerned authorities. According to reports, students alleged that traffic-related delays around the university had contributed to some voters reaching the polling locations late.

The protest subsequently led to a confrontation between students and police personnel deployed on the campus to maintain order during the elections.

Heavy security deployed on campus

The university and Chandigarh Police had made extensive security arrangements ahead of the polling process. Police personnel were deployed at key locations and checking was intensified at the university’s entry points to prevent any untoward incident.

The presidential contest is being fought between Gurman Singh Sidhu of the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Aadil Brar of the AAP-backed Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP), Ankit Bidhan of the BJP-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and Darshpreet Singh of Sath.

The elections are also being held for the posts of vice-president, secretary, joint secretary and department representatives.

ABVP-SOI alliance adds to election dynamics

The election has also witnessed an important political development, with the BJP-backed ABVP and Shiromani Akali Dal-backed Student Organisation of India (SOI) entering into an electoral understanding ahead of polling.

SOI, whose presidential candidate’s nomination was rejected earlier, has extended support to ABVP’s presidential candidate Ankit Bidhan and is mobilising its supporters in his favour.

Meanwhile, authorities have maintained tight security as voting and subsequent counting take place. Officials are monitoring the situation closely to ensure that the remaining election process is conducted peacefully.