Son Pal Says There Is No Dispute Over the Election Date; Attempt to Disrupt the Election Atmosphere in the Name of Diwali Questioned, Conducting Elections on Schedule Remains the Main Priority
Report: S. Muneer
Aligarh: Amid attempts to give a religious colour to the date of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Students’ Union elections, prominent student leader Son Pal has clarified that there is no dispute among students regarding the election date. He said that after speaking to his fellow students, he found that no one was facing any problem. In such a situation, it is not appropriate to make the election date a subject of controversy in the name of Diwali.
Son Pal said that Diwali falls on November 8, so students can easily cast their votes and then leave for their homes. He questioned whether the dates of Gram Pradhan or other elections are changed because of festivals. He said that the most important thing at present is that the AMU Students’ Union elections are held on schedule and that the election process is not disrupted in any way.
Why Is There a Controversy in the Name of Four Thousand Students?
It is being claimed that the participation of approximately 4,000 Hindu students in voting may be affected because they could leave for their homes during Diwali. Questions have been raised over the election date on this basis.
Baldev Chaudhary Seetu, former state minister of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), has sent emails to the President of India, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Ministry of Education, drawing their attention to the matter. The election process at AMU is scheduled to begin on October 25, while polling is scheduled for November 5. The university has approximately 22,000 to 24,000 voters, including around 4,000 Hindu students, according to reports. In view of the Dhanteras and Diwali festivals, some students are expected to leave for their homes on November 2 or 3. However, Son Pal has clarified that his fellow students are not facing any problems in this regard.
Chief Election Officer Also Clarifies the Election Position
AMU Chief Election Officer Professor Javed Talib said that the Students’ Union elections would be held on the scheduled date and that there was no dispute regarding the date. According to him, if any student had an objection, they could have submitted their representation.
Compliance with Election Rules Is Mandatory
Chief Election Officer Professor Javed Talib has also clarified the key provisions of the code of conduct for candidates. In the event of a violation, a candidate’s candidature may be cancelled, and the candidate may also be removed from the elected post. Candidates will be allowed to put up hand-made posters at designated locations. Candidates contesting for cabinet member positions will be allowed to spend a maximum of ₹10,000, while candidates contesting for office-bearer positions will be allowed to spend up to ₹20,000. Accepting money from political parties will be prohibited, and candidates must have at least 75 per cent attendance.
Distribution of any food item or beverage, except water, will be prohibited. The university campus, including the polling area, must be cleaned within 48 hours of voting. Appeals intended to incite emotions on the basis of caste, sect, region or language to secure votes will not be permitted. Taking out processions, holding public meetings, campaigning or distributing campaign material outside the university campus will be prohibited. The use of loudspeakers, cars, motorcycles and other vehicles, as well as animals, for election campaigning will also be prohibited.
Candidates will not be allowed to participate in any activity that increases differences between castes, communities, religions, languages or student groups, creates mutual hatred or leads to a tense situation. Candidates must not have a prior criminal record. They must not have faced trial in a criminal case or a rape case, nor must they have been convicted. During the election period, candidates may organise processions and public meetings only with the prior written permission of the Proctor. Classes, academic activities and co-curricular activities must not be disrupted.
AMU Chief Election Officer Professor Javed Talib said that the Students’ Union elections would be held on the scheduled date and that there was no dispute regarding the date. If there had been any dispute, students would have submitted their representations.
Meanwhile, prominent AMU student leader Son Pal said that there was no dispute regarding the Students’ Union elections. He stated that he had spoken to his fellow students and that no one was facing any problems. He said that Diwali falls on November 8, so students can cast their votes and then easily leave for their homes. He questioned whether the dates of Gram Pradhan or other elections could be changed because of a festival. He said that the most important priority at present is to ensure that the AMU Students’ Union elections are conducted on schedule.