In a low turnout, around 28 per cent out of total 2015 voters turned up to cast votes in the students’ union election in MKP (PG) College on Saturday. Amid tight security, polling for the students’ union election was held in the college peacefully. The first- time voters looked excited as they were found standing in long queues outside the polling booths, waiting for their turn to vote. In all, 21 candidates are in the fray for various posts of the students’ union.
To ensure peaceful election, adequate police forces were deployed in the college. Candidates and their supporters were found doing the canvassing among the students even during the time of the polling.
Sumitra, a voter, said that several candidates have approached her while requesting her to cast her vote in their favour.
“I was very excited to vote for the first time in the college union election. I voted for those who, I felt, can better things in the college,” she added.
Anushka, BA second year student, who voted for the second time, said that she was a bit sceptic of these elections. “I voted last year too, expecting positive changes to happen in the college. The candidates promised big things. But nothing happened on the ground. I have still cast my vote as I could not help exercising my democratic right. However, I am not much optimistic of positive things happening to our college,” she said.
Echoing the same feeling, another old student Amrita Kaur said that she kept dithering on whether to vote as it was raining. “However, I finally decided to vote as I must exercise my right, though I am sure the candidates would forget their promises once they are elected,” she said.
College staffers were found busy in conducting the election. Four polling booths were set up for the polling. As it was raining in the morning hours, polling that started at 10.30 am went on on a sluggish note. However, things picked up with time as students started reaching the college. Around 11.30 am, a large number of students was seen standing in the queues outside the polling room. Supporters of the candidates were heard sloganeering outside the college campus during the time of the polling.
The chief election officer of the college Dr Urmila Khanduri expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the students’ union election.
According to her, the polling began at 10.30 am and ended at 2.30 pm.