Politics · India Bureau
AMU women students seek voting rights in main university election
Undergraduate women at Aligarh Muslim University's Women's College have petitioned the Education Minister over their exclusion from the main student union election scheduled for November 5. The university maintains that all female students will participate in a separate Women's College union poll on the same day.
LSN India ·

Students at Aligarh Muslim University's Women's College have raised concerns about being barred from voting in the main university student union (AMUSU) election, arguing the exclusion undermines principles of equal representation. The November 5 poll will see only male students and women postgraduate candidates eligible to cast ballots in the central election, they contend.
The protesting undergraduate women have escalated their grievance to the Education Ministry, framing the issue as one of democratic participation and institutional equity. According to the students, the restriction denies them a voice in university-wide governance and decision-making processes that affect the entire campus community.
AMU administration has countered that no disenfranchisement is occurring. The university states that all undergraduate women students will exercise their voting rights simultaneously on November 5, but through a dedicated Women's College union election held the same day. University officials assert this arrangement ensures parallel electoral processes for the women's constituency.
The dispute reflects broader tensions around student representation structures at the institution. The university has not indicated plans to alter its electoral framework, suggesting the parallel voting arrangement will proceed as scheduled. The matter remains under discussion between student representatives and university authorities.