Campaigning for the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) elections ended on a dull note on Tuesday. No major rallies were held, though class-to-class campaigning continued throughout the day — the only working day before the polling on Thursday.
After the weekend, the varsity remained closed on Monday because of Janmashtami, and even Wednesday has been declared non-working by the Panjab University Teachers' Association (PUTA) in solidarity with college teachers from Punjab for the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations.
Both the holidays and vagaries of weather prevented student parties from creating any “wave” and they are now fearing a low voter turnout as well.
"We are not satisfied with the campaigning. We had only one working day for canvassing in all departments. We could not even hold a rally,” said Students Organisation of India (SOI) leader Vicky Middukhera.
“Students are not present on the campus as many did not turn up even on Tuesday. We could not approach them to seek votes,” said Harmanjot Singh Gill, spokesperson of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
This year, student wings concentrated on campaigning in hostels and on social media, as the departments remained closed. A few even tried to approach students in their paying guest accommodations.
{{/usCountry}}This year, student wings concentrated on campaigning in hostels and on social media, as the departments remained closed. A few even tried to approach students in their paying guest accommodations.
{{/usCountry}}“There were not enough working days to campaign this year, but we managed to have fruitful interaction with students,” said Harmandeep Singh, spokesperson of the Students for Society (SFS).