The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Student Union election witnessed a major development on the night of 30 October 2026 when the nomination of Farhan Zubairi, a prominent candidate for the president’s post, was cancelled by the election office. This decision came late at around 1:30 a.m. after student protests and concerns regarding the Lingdoh Committee recommendations.
Earlier on 29 October, the final list of ten candidates for the president’s post was published, which included Farhan Zubairi. He began campaigning immediately after the list was released. However, a section of students raised objections pointing out inconsistencies: they noted that while nominations of other candidates with minor issues had been rejected, Farhan’s nomination, despite his involvement in several legal cases, had been accepted. This raised questions about the fairness of the election process.
Farhan and his supporters cited the Lingdoh Committee’s revised recommendations to justify his acceptance. But following the objections, the election office deliberated on the matter overnight and decided to cancel his nomination. The official announcement came from the AMU Public Relations office at approximately 1:30 a.m. on 31 October.
Election Candidates Status
As per Chief Election Officer Professor Javed Talib, after Farhan Zubairi’s disqualification, nine candidates remain in the race for the president’s post. Meanwhile, there are seven candidates for the vice-president post and three for the secretary post. For the cabinet member positions, 46 candidates have been found eligible while the nominations of seven candidates were cancelled.
In the Women’s College Student Union elections, six candidates are contesting for president, four for vice-president, and eighteen for secretary.
Upcoming Election Events
The final speeches of candidates are scheduled for 3 November. Polling will be held on 5 November, with vote counting to begin the same evening from 6 p.m.
NAAC A+
NIRF #10 (2025)Aligarh Muslim UniversityAligarh, Uttar PradeshAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1920View details
NAAC A
NIRF #6 (2025)Banaras Hindu UniversityVaranasi, Uttar PradeshAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1916View detailsBBAUNAAC A
NIRF #37 (2025)Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar UniversityLucknow, Uttar PradeshAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1996View details
NAAC B++
Central UniversityAllahabad UniversityPrayagraj, Uttar PradeshAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1887View detailsRGNAU
Central UniversityRajiv Gandhi National Aviation UniversityRaebareli, Uttar PradeshAdmission: Own EntranceEst. 2013View detailsRLBCA
Central UniversityRani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural UniversityJhansi, Uttar PradeshAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, ICAR AIEEAEst. 2014View detailsContext and Implications
The cancellation of Farhan Zubairi’s nomination has sparked unrest among some student groups, with anticipations of protests in the campus on 31 October. Farhan had planned a march on campus that day, and it remains to be seen if this will proceed after his disqualification.
This incident highlights tensions around election conduct and candidate eligibility at AMU, reflecting broader student concerns about fairness and transparency in student body elections.
