Maiden JU student poll: First phase peaceful, results today

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 25

Amid sporadic protests and tight security, the first phase of maiden elections to the students’ union at the University of Jammu (JU) today concluded peacefully with great enthusiasm gripping students on the campus.

The university campus and all off-site campuses witnessed hustle and bustle, with regular students turning up in good number to cast their votes and become a part of the first-ever election which is being conducted in an indirect way on the Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations.

In the first phase, the elections were held for class representatives and department representatives who in turn will elect the office-bearers for the students’ union during the second phase of elections on October 6.

The university administration had made elaborate security arrangements on the campus to avoid any kind of untoward incident. Normal classwork was suspended in all departments while the entry of outsiders and visitors was barred for the day. The entry of vehicles on main campus was allowed only after checking the identity cards of faculty members, staff and regular students.

There were more than 2,000 students and scholars who were expected to take part in these elections. For the class representatives’ post, the elections were held for 22 out of 38 departments. At least14 class representatives were elected unopposed. Similarly, at least 23 departmentrepresentatives were also elected unopposed.

Meanwhile, students erupted in jubilation immediately after the election results were announced at the departmental level as they were dancing to drum beats and bollywood numbers outside their respective departments. A straight contest between NSUI and ABVP-affiliated candidates was expected in these elections.

“It is not clear as to how many candidates of the NSUI and ABVP have been elected. Things will be clear only after the formal declaration of results tomorrow,” a university official associated with the election process said.

Earlier in the day, students of the Library Sciences Department held a demonstration outside the Dean’s office after the university decided not to conduct elections in the department on the grounds that the courses offered in the department were of one-year duration for which elections could not be held as per Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations.