March 22 students' union poll: JNU implements model code of conduct

New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has implemented the model code of conduct (MCC) for its March 22 students' union election, outlining rules and regulations for poll campaigning.

Under the code, students are barred from using inflammatory remarks, wooing voters based on community, caste or religion, or spreading misinformation during campaigning.

The MCC, which came into effect from Thursday night, has been implemented in continuation of the partial code of conduct effective on the campus of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) since March 10—a day before the election was announced.

The counting of votes will take place on March 24, following which the result will be declared,

The rules released by the JNUSU Election Committee stated that "all candidates shall be prohibited from indulging in activities which are considered corrupt practices such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing or the use of propaganda within 100 metres of polling station".

The maximum permitted expenditure per candidate by students' outfits is capped at Rs 5,000, according to the rules.

The JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) election is being conducted after a hiatus of four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was last held in 2019.

The previously implemented partial code of conduct will also continue to remain in effect. Under this, students are prohibited from using posters or pamphlets without the prior permission of the election committee.

Contesting students and their organisations are only allowed to use handmade posters and photocopied material for campaigning on campus, according to the rules.

Students cannot use campus buildings, roads, electric poles, bus stops and trees etc. for posters, or deface university property for campaigning, the code stated.

The rules stated that for any public meeting for social, culture or political purposes, the election committee's approval has to be taken in advance, and poll processions cannot be carried out beyond 11 pm.

Students are also prohibited from using public address systems, vehicles and animals for taking out any procession.

The committee has said all candidates will be jointly responsible for ensuring the polling area is cleaned within 48 hours of the conclusion of the election.