Wooing female voters with reserved seat, gym, self-defence

Chandigarh, September 2

To effectively manage the safety of women amid the upcoming student council elections, the PU authorities have assigned time slots to candidates and student leaders for canvassing in girls’ hostels. As per the foot-march schedule prepared by the university authorities, candidate(s) have been assigned 1.5-hour slots for canvassing in the 10 girls’ hostels.

According to the schedule, each group candidate(s) were allowed to march from their respective tent area to the girls’ hostels in an assigned order. This way, the authorities can ensure that no clash or any untoward incident took place among groups’ supporters. “We are taking all precautionary measures ahead of the elections, especially with respect to accommodation of girls. Chandigarh police is assisting us in these efforts,” said a university official.

For student groups it is important to woo female voters, considering the fact that majority of the students on the campus are females. Moreover, with three women candidates in fray for the president post in the Panjab University Campus Student Council, the stakes are higher and no party wants to leave any stone unturned.

A few days ago, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) had released a special manifesto centring around women issues on the campus. Arpita Malik, the party’s presidential candidate, had also advocated the installation of panic buttons on campus for the safety of women. The party had also declared that once elected to power, they would bring reservation for women in student council and at least one seat would be reserved for women in the council each year.

On Saturday, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) had announced that they would ensure a special gym for women on campus and would also give them training in self-defence classes.

Arpita, Sarah Sharma from PSU Lalkaar and Alka from Ambedkar Student Front are three candidates of the nine in contest for the top council post.