Checks at boys’ hostels, more CCTV cameras on campus, says Navdeep Goyal

Any changes in the election protocol this year?
We have decided that the election of the executive committee will not be held on the day of the students’ council election. It will be held after three-four days. This is because it becomes hectic to conduct two elections on the same day.Also, we have decided that the counting will be done at a central place in the Gymnasium Hall. Separate counters will be made for voting and counting.

What action is being contemplated to check defacement on the campus during elections?
We had a meeting in this regard. The case will be taken up in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 27. We have also received a communication from the judicial magistrate, where it is mentioned that if we identify somebody being involved in defacement, his/her candidature will be rejected. As far as defacement is concerned, if anybody is found involved, it is a violation of the Lyngdoh guidelines. If a criminal case is registered against any of the candidates, he is automatically debarred from contesting the polls.

What about students who keep seeking admission in one or the other course in order to contest elections?
Student leaders continue here for years together and they come to PU only during the election time. They take admission in some diploma course, participate in the election and go back. I think spending that much of time on the campus is not right for them, they should strive to do well in life. They can take some initial training if they want to continue with politics later. But we cannot stop anyone who has taken admission here to contest the election.

Can the university register the student organisations so that no duplicate groups can claim to be a leader of PUSU or SOPU?
We had a meeting in this regard, where I suggested that the bodies be registered. However, it was not approved. Former DSWs, Law Department faculty members, hostel wardens and teachers were present on the occasion.

Do you think that members of the students’ council utilise their time in engaging in welfare work for students?
I have seen many leaders working for the welfare of the students. I believe that whosoever wins the election should be recognised as the leader by everybody on the campus. If the students have certain demands, they should communicate the same to the student leaders who can further approach the authorities. However, that never happens. The person who would have won the election would be seen sitting on a dharna the very next day. The leaders should realise that they are given the chance to represent the students on the campus. Also, once the election is over, the leaders should be given a chance to work for approximately six months and then if the students do not like their work, they may criticise them. The students should shake off the feeling of belonging to a particular ‘party’ and instead work for the PUCSC. Usually, at functions organised on the campus, the party dominates the students’ council, which is not a good practice.

Any plans to postpone or prepone the date of election, as is being demanded by the students?
We have already recommended a date for the election on the campus and in colleges. It is a very difficult task to get it changed since the date is not recommended to one person but the entire Chandigarh Administration. The police department also gets involved to make law-and-order arrangements for the day. Last year, the admission process was over by August 31, which is why we had decided to hold the elections in the first week of September this time. The admission process will get over by August 17. Even if it gets extended, we will have ample time for the election on the recommended date.