Students contesting the AMU Students’ Union (AMUSU) election 2026-27 pay a security deposit of Rs 500 for the three top posts and Rs 300 for cabinet and University Court seats, and anyone convicted in a criminal case or expelled from AMU for misconduct cannot stand. On 24 October, AMU also said its University Court elections would follow the university’s own code of conduct instead of the Lyngdoh Committee conditions, after students objected.
AMUSU 2026 election rules at a glance
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security deposit, top posts | Rs 500 for President, Vice-President and Honorary Secretary |
| Security deposit, other posts | Rs 300 for cabinet and University Court members |
| Who cannot contest | Students convicted in a criminal case, or expelled for indiscipline or misconduct |
| Court elections | AMU’s own code of conduct, not the Lyngdoh conditions |
| Chief Election Officer | Prof. Javed Talib (AMUSU and Court); Prof. Nazia Hasan (Women’s College union) |
| Polling | 5 November 2026, with speeches on 3 November |
Why the Lyngdoh conditions were dropped for Court elections
The Lyngdoh Committee rules, which India’s student elections have followed since 2006, set conditions such as 75% attendance and an age limit for candidates. AMU first applied them to the University Court elections, then changed course. Hind Rashtra reported on 24 October that the Chief Election Officer revised the decision after students objected, and that the change is expected to let more students contest. The University Court is AMU’s highest governing body, and students elect members to it from each faculty.
Who cannot contest
The Chief Election Officer’s office clarified, after students raised questions, that a student convicted in a criminal case or expelled from the university for indiscipline or misconduct is not eligible. The clarification was reported by Amar Ujala on 25 October.
Also readAMUSU Election 2026: 151 Nominations, 11 for President
Other issues candidates raised
- Registration and fees: presidential hopeful Mohammad Zuhair met the Controller of Examinations to ask that the registration portal be reopened for students who missed it, and that fees be payable in two instalments. He also raised fee, registration and identity card problems faced by senior research scholars. He was told steps would be taken.
- Timing: former student leader Dr Kunwar Mohammad Ahmad questioned holding the election close to Diwali, saying Hindu students also take part and their festival plans should have been considered.
- Candidate names: the university did not release the names of the 151 nominees on nomination day, which some candidates criticised. Read our report on the 151 nominations.
Firsts in this election
Amar Ujala reported that three students from Bihar are in the race for President for the first time in the union’s history, including Sharjeel Iqbal, a research scholar in Geology. Two women, Irfa Khan and Nashra Naim, are contesting for Vice-President, also a first. See every candidate on the AMUSU 2026-27 page, and back your candidates in our reader poll.
Frequently asked questions
What is the security deposit for the AMUSU election 2026?
Rs 500 for President, Vice-President and Honorary Secretary, and Rs 300 for cabinet and University Court member candidates.
Do Lyngdoh Committee rules apply to the AMU election 2026?
For the University Court elections, AMU said on 24 October 2026 that its own code of conduct will apply instead of the Lyngdoh conditions, after students objected.
Who cannot contest the AMUSU election?
Students convicted in a criminal case, or expelled from AMU for indiscipline or misconduct, are not eligible to contest.
Who is the Chief Election Officer for AMUSU 2026?
Prof. Javed Talib is Chief Election Officer for the AMUSU and University Court elections. Prof. Nazia Hasan conducts the Women’s College Students’ Union election.
The final list of candidates decides who is on the ballot on 5 November. For the union’s past, see the full list of AMUSU presidents.
Sources: Amar Ujala, 25 October 2026; Hind Rashtra, 24 October 2026; Aligarh Media, 30 October 2026.
