Adding alphabet "A" before names in DUSU polls is flawed: HC

The Delhi High Court today observed that the practice of candidates adding the alphabet "A" before their names prior to DUSU polls to get themselves listed at the top of the ballot paper "is flawed".
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said the name by which a candidate is allowed to contest Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) elections should be the name on the rolls of the varsity.
It said that the practice, if followed by the respondent university of allowing such prefixes to the name solely for the purpose of election, is flawed.

"The name by which a candidate is allowed to contest the election should be the name on the rolls of the university and the name would be the same as the name of such student in the school leaving certificate," the court said.
It expressed surprise as to "how the contesting candidates are able to so change their names for the purpose of election".
The bench observed that either a candidate should be allowed to change his name only after contesting the election and "once the candidate has so changed his name, even if for the purpose of election, in the ensuing year he/she ought not be permitted to thereafter revert to the original name and should be ready to obtain his university leaving certificate/ degree also with such changed name".

"The contesting candidates having indulged in such a practice, this Court cannot turn a blind eye thereto," it said.
The court, however, did not issue any directions as sought in the plea to the varsity as the petitioners had "not raised the issue in the correct perspective" and disposed of the matter.
It asked DU to consider the issue within three months and take a decision.