Aligarh Muslim University elects first woman vice-president in 105 years

Nashra Naim's election as vice-president of Aligarh Muslim University's students' union represents a watershed moment for the 105-year-old institution, which has never before elected a woman to the position. The victory underscores a notable shift in campus politics, with female candidates making substantial gains in the recent electoral contest.

Women candidates swept six of the 13 available posts in the election, according to results released by the university. Among the cabinet member positions, female candidates claimed five of the ten seats, setting a new record for women's representation in the union's decision-making structure.

The election marks the first held by the students' union since 2016, following an eight-year gap in electoral proceedings at the New Delhi-area institution. The extended interval had raised questions about student participation in campus governance, making the robust turnout and diverse representation particularly noteworthy.

AMU, founded in 1920, has historically been dominated by male leadership across student organizations. The latest results suggest evolving dynamics within the university's student body, with women candidates increasingly competitive in campus-wide contests and winning support across traditional electoral constituencies.