In a clarification regarding the ongoing controversy about voting rights of female students in Aligarh Muslim University’s (AMU) Women’s College, Chief Election Officer Prof. Javed Talib, on 2 November 2026, assured that the voting rights of all 4080 registered students of the Women’s College are fully secured. He emphasized that these students will cast their votes in the Women’s College only.
Context of the Controversy
Many female students from sixth and seventh semester, though registered with the Women’s College, attend classes in various faculties and departments elsewhere on the AMU campus as per the New Education Policy’s provisions. They demanded the right to vote where they study rather than where they are registered, resulting in protests and social media circulation claiming their voting rights were being taken away.
Official Clarification
Prof. Talib clarified that voting rights remain tied to the college where a student is registered, not to the physical location of their classes. Even if classes occur in other departments, registration and the associated polling center do not change.
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 details
NAAC 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 detailsImpact of New Education Policy
The New Education Policy led to students attending classes in corresponding faculties with better infrastructure and faculty for their fourth year, though their registrations remain with the Women’s College. This change does not affect their voting rights.
Voting in Other University Elections
These students will also retain voting rights in the Women’s College union elections. For AMU Court elections, eligible students will vote faculty-wise according to the university rules. Election authorities assure no infringement of voting rights for any student.
Overall Voting at AMU
Approximately 22,000 male and female students registered across various faculties within AMU campus will vote in their respective faculties. Similarly, all Women’s College registered students will vote at the Women’s College. Registration status is the sole criteria for polling location, not class attendance.
