JNU election on Feb 23

The much-awaited dates of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union election were announced on Sunday.

The poll will be held on February 23. It is being held after a gap of four years. Recently, the Supreme Court had withdrew its stay order and allowed holding of elections. But the administration was in two minds over the issue.

“The dates have been notified to the administration and the election committee. While February 23 is the polling day, nominations must be filed on February 13 and 14, and February 15 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations,” said Students’ Federation of India member Zico Dasgupta.

At a meeting of students’ organisations on February 3, the dates were unanimously decided. According to the new rules, the poll must be held within 15 days of filing of nominations.

JNU students say they are eagerly looking forward to see party members debate — a distinctive characteristic of JNU Students’ Union election process.

“At the university general body meeting on February 17, debates among the vice-president, general secretary and joint secretary will take place. Presidential debates will be held on February 21,” said Dasgupta.

Poll background
Two months after the Supreme Court withdrew its stay order, the election date was not decided as the administration delayed the process by not forming a grievance committee — a condition of the election.

Then three Left-inclined parties under the Joint Struggle Committee started an indefinite hunger strike, which went on for five days.

“The administration was delaying the poll as they were not clear if the election could be held in this academic session,” said Sandeep, member of All-India Students’ Federation.

“As per the Lyngdoh Committee report on election guidelines, which student unions must follow, an election can be held within two months of the beginning of an academic session.

“We did not want to wait till the next academic session. The administration took legal help and agreed to our demands,” said Sandeep. The last poll was held in October 2007. But two days before the 2008 election, the Supreme Court passed a stay order citing violations of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations.

 In December last year, the apex court withdrew its order subject to some conditions. It also relaxed a few recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee report.