E-Paper
Punjab to hold student union polls after 34 yrs
Student union elections were banned in Punjab in 1984 due to militancy and turmoil in the region. Different parties have been demanding the revival of student elections from time to time.
After 34 years, Punjab will hold student union elections in universities and colleges across the state from the coming academic year.
The announcement was made by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh in the Punjab assembly while winding up the discussion on the motion of thanks of the governor’s address.
“These elections were suspended over three decades ago due to disturbance of law and order in the state. With Punjab returning to peace and normalcy, student union elections will take place regularly, as are being held in Punjab University, Chandigarh and Delhi University. We will hold direct elections,” he said, calling it fulfilment of another poll promise made by state government.
Amarinder said that student union elections would be held in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjabi University, Patiala and Punjab Technical University along with their affiliated colleges. The student elections were banned in 1984 due to turmoil caused by militancy in the state. However, most political parties, including the Congress, have been seeking elections to student bodies in the state from time to time.
