Punjab University student council elections today: New president to be elected, meet the candidates
PTC News Desk: The much-anticipated Panjab University Campus Student Council elections will take place, with students from 74 departments casting their votes to elect representatives for four key seats. Security has been significantly ramped up, with 500 personnel, including officers from the UT police, deployed to ensure a smooth and peaceful election process across the campus.
Voting is set to begin at 9:30 am across 182 polling booths, with the final results expected by the evening. Students will cast their ballots in 306 ballot boxes, which will later be transported to the Gymnasium Hall for counting. Alongside the council elections, department representatives (DRs) will also be elected. Notably, 40 DRs have already been elected unopposed.
For the vote counting process, around 100 teachers will be involved, stationed at the Gymnasium Hall. The Panjab University authorities have hired vehicles to securely transport the ballot boxes to the hall. Security measures have been enhanced, with a flag march conducted by UT police and Punjab Police officers to ensure no disruptions during the election. "No kind of mischief or anti-social activity will be tolerated on the campus," affirmed a senior police official.
While campaigning officially ended at 9 pm on Tuesday, student leaders and candidates made the most of Wednesday by visiting various hostels to reach out to potential voters. "This is our final effort to convey what we stand for and what we will do if elected. These days are more than just about canvassing; they are a true festival of democracy on campus," said Arpita Malik, the presidential candidate from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
Dean of Student Welfare, Prof. Amit Chauhan, urged students to exercise their right to vote, saying, "This university has a vibrant democratic system that every student should engage with. Students also have the option to vote for NOTA (None of the Above) in this election."
A total of 15,854 students are eligible to vote across the university. Key departments with the largest number of voters include:
University Institute of Engineering and Technology (2,518 voters)
University Institute of Legal Studies (1,950 voters)
Department of Laws (1,100 voters)
Nine candidates are contesting for the prestigious post of president, with five candidates vying for the vice-president position. Four are in the race for secretary, and six are competing for joint secretary.
In recent years, voter turnout has seen a steady rise. Last year, 10,263 students voted, compared to 9,919 in 2022, 9,882 in 2019, and 9,418 in 2018.
As an added security measure, Gate No. 1 near the PGI will be closed from 12 PM to 4:30 PM on polling day to manage campus entry and ensure safety.
The elections are expected to be a significant event, with students eagerly awaiting the outcome and the installation of new leadership on campus.
- With inputs from agencies
