Student union elections will return to Karnataka colleges after a 37-year gap, with public universities directing affiliated institutions to begin preparations under guidelines issued by the state government.
Adikavi Sri Maharshi Valmiki University in Raichur issued a notification on September 21 asking affiliated undergraduate and postgraduate colleges to conduct the elections. The university said the government had framed guidelines intended to promote civic responsibility, accountability and democratic values among students.
The notification stated that elections must be held in all affiliated undergraduate and postgraduate colleges, subject to the government’s guidelines. Vice-chancellor Shivananda Kelaginamani said the election code of conduct was currently in place because of upcoming polls and that colleges could proceed once the code was completed.
“Currently, election code of conduct is in place because of upcoming polls. Once that is completed, colleges can go ahead with the elections. They are extremely important to inculcate leadership and democratic values,” Kelaginamani said.
Bengaluru City University has also issued a circular to its affiliated colleges. Vice-chancellor B Ramesh said the university would hold a review meeting with college principals to assess preparations before the institutions begin the process.
“We will hold a review meeting with college principals on the preparation before they get into it. We need to give them some time,” Ramesh said.
Bengaluru North University has directed college principals to submit a mandatory report on the election process, adding an administrative reporting requirement as universities prepare to implement the policy across affiliated institutions.
The elections will include one president, two vice-presidents, one general secretary, two joint secretaries and six executive committee members. One joint secretary position will be reserved for a woman candidate, while two executive committee positions will be reserved for women candidates.
The guidelines restrict campaigning inside campuses. Candidates cannot appeal to caste or religion, and posters and banners are prohibited. Campaign material can be printed and distributed only as A5-sized handbills. Social media campaigning is allowed, but messages that provoke hatred, enmity or malice are prohibited.
The rules also prohibit the use of money, power, inducements or allurements. Candidates must have recorded at least 75% attendance in the previous academic year, although first-year students are exempt from the requirement. Candidates must not face criminal charges or a chargesheet, and must not be listed on a police rowdy sheet.
Before contesting, candidates must read and declare their commitment to the election code of conduct before the election officer. Universities are now required to coordinate with college principals on preparation, reporting and the conduct of polls under the government’s framework.
