New Delhi, Aug. 27 -- These days, as one walks down Chhatra Marg in Delhi University's North Campus, it is hard to miss the rows of black SUVs with students sitting on car roofs. Look down, and another campaign feature stands out - small, handwritten name cards being distributed among students.

As campaigning intensifies ahead of the September 18 Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections, handwritten flyers and visiting-card-sized campaign slips are making a comeback, with members of both the ABVP and National Students' Union of India (NSUI) turning to their cadres and student networks to get them written. "Sometimes we ask our party volunteers to pick up these cards and bring them back so that they can be used again," an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) member said. The shift comes after the university tightened campaign rules, including restrictions on pamphlets and other printed material that could litter public spaces or damage university property.

Handwritten material, however, is not necessarily cheaper. "Earlier, a printed flyer cost around 20-30 paise. For a handwritten one, we have to pay at least Re 1 per piece," the ABVP member said, adding that only around 500 cards can sometimes be arranged as the process is labour-intensive.

Students staying in paying guest accommodation and hostels have also become part of the informal campaign workforce.

"One of our friends from Campus Law Centre helped us get more than 200 cards," another student said. "This time, poster campaigning is largely restricted to the 'Wall of Democracy' here," an ABVP member added.

With physical campaigning under tighter scrutiny, much of the outreach has also moved online, with candidates increasingly relying on reels and social media content alongside visits to colleges.

"Short-duration content, also known as reels and shorts, has found an appeal in students and contestants. Many contestants have dedicated social media teams which make this content," a Campus Law Centre student said.

DU has asked all 54 colleges to create two 10x10-foot campaign walls. Groups are capped at five members, while parking near campuses is banned. Male campaigners cannot enter women's colleges except candidates. Violations of Lyngdoh norms or intoxicant use could lead to nomination cancellation.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.