E-Paper
PU senate elections: Another round of polling held
While 96.61% polling was recorded in the constituency of heads of arts colleges, 91.08% polling was recorded in the constituency of teachers of arts colleges
For the election of 16 members to Panjab University (PU) senate, the polling for two constituencies of affiliated arts colleges was held on Wednesday in Chandigarh and Punjab.
While 96.61% polling was recorded in the constituency of heads of arts colleges, 91.08% polling was recorded in the constituency of teachers of affiliated arts colleges. As many as 62 polling booths were set up in Chandigarh and Punjab. The counting of votes for both the constituencies will be held on August 20.
In the constituency of heads, 100% polling was held at Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Nawanshahr; 80% polling was recorded in Chandigarh as well as in Abohar.
Meanwhile, in the constituency of teachers of arts colleges, 100% polling was recorded in Nawanshahr and 92.71% polling was recorded in Chandigarh; 92% polling was recorded in Sri Muktsar Sahib as well as in Ludhiana, while Moga, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka and Abohar recorded 86.02%, 88.78%, 90.59% and 85.71% polling, respectively.
While 11 candidates are in fray from the constituency of heads of arts colleges, 15 candidates are contesting from the constituency of teachers. Different groups have fielded their candidates and from both the constituencies and some are contesting independently.
“The voting at all the 62 polling booths was held in a free and fair manner,” said PU in an official communiqué. Now, polling will be held on August 23 for the election of six members to PU senate from the constituency of faculties.
Graduate constituency: Students, ex-senators hold protest
Students, former senators and candidates held a protest march on Wednesday on PU campus demanding immediate conduct of polling for the registered graduate constituency.
The protest march was organised by student bodies including Ambedkar Students’ Association (ASA), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Students Organisation of India (SOI), Students For Society (SFS) and others. However, many former senate members and candidates of the graduate constituency participated in the protest rally, which started from the office of vice chancellor Raj Kumar to his campus residence.
Protesters demanded immediate conduct of polls for the graduate constituency, which were deferred by the varsity last week. They also raised slogans against the V-C.
Former senator, Rabindernath Sharma, who is contesting from the graduate constituency, said, “University authorities should fix the polling date without losing time. The delay and uncertainty have already eroded the credibility and image of this great democratic institution.”
President of PUTA, Mritunjay Kumar, addressed the gathering and said, “This is a good sign that all stakeholders have come together. We should work for the immediate formation of the senate. The University has been functioning without a senate since November last year and its formation is vital for the smooth functioning of the University.”
The students associated with SFS, SOI, SOPU and ASA on Wednesday decided to join an indefinite strike on campus to press for their demands. Two student bodies have already started indefinite protests at PU.
