After a gap of eight years, Ranchi University (RU) is all set to conduct the third student union poll in November. One of the main reasons for getting the much awaited student union election delayed was that none of the student union groups were giving their consent over the election procedure. However, looking at the present situation student union leaders have agreed on either format of conducting election.
“We are in favour of both direct and indirect method of election. However, in 2008, the election was conducted through indirect method which involved horse trading and other unfair means. We just want a fair student election to be conducted, rest everything else is accepted,” said, NSUI, Jharkhand Chapter leader, Kumar Raushan.
Similarly, NSUI counterpart ABVP convener Atal Pandey, added, “Elections at Kolhan and Sidhu Kanhu Murmu University was conducted through indirect votes. We are just hoping that election is conducted somehow this time at RU.
The difference of opinion over direct and indirect election has always delayed the election process. We want participation of every college irrespective of anything in this election.”
Notably, at present student unions do have any representation in the Syndicate committee of RU. As per the set guidelines, the varsity is mandated to conduct election every year. The university established in 1962 held its first students election in 1987 and the second after a gap of almost twenty years in 2008.
Dean, Student’s Welfare said a notification regarding the poll would be issued only after a meeting is conducted with syndicate sub committee members. “We are working on different facets and soon everything will be figured out. Notification will be issued after Durga Puja. Election will be conducted this year on the set guidelines of lyngdoh committee recommendations,” said, Dean, RU Student’s Welfare, SC Gupta.
According to the judgement of the Supreme Court, it is mandatory to follow lyngdoh committee recommendations while holding elections in universities and colleges across India. Under the lyngdoh committee instructions, expenses are limited on to certain amount only that a candidate can incur in the election. Even the campaigns carried out before elections by student leaders have certain limitations.
On the other hand, all student union groups have also urged to the Vice-Chancellor to include all minority institutions in the polling procedure. However, the minority institutions head in a meeting chaired by RU VC, Ramesh Kumar Pandey have clearly declared that they will not be the part of student election poll.
Earlier too student union poll was cancelled when Dr. lN Bhagat joined as the VC of RU. Though every year during Bhagat tenure dates for election were announced but eventually everytime it got cancelled leaving students in dilemma. Students too feel that student representation at Syndicate has become mandatory to convey other students demand as many colleges under RU are deprived of basic amenities since long.
Interestingly, the much awaited student union election was scheduled to be held in September 2016 but was postponed as university officials has received a communiqué from Department of Higher and Technical Education asking all the university Vice-Chancellors to immediately initiate classes for second shift in order to increase the gross enrollment ratio (GER) in State.