PUNE: The Maharashtra State Universities are gearing up for students’ election, which is likely to be held in this new academic year 2019-20. Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has organised a workshop for principals and directors of its affiliated colleges on management of students’ election on Thursday.
A State Government Resolution released on October 26, 2018, stated that the students’ election as per Maharashtra State Public University Act, 2016, will be held in the State. As per this resolution, universities have to finish the elections by September 20, said SPPU Students’ Welfare Department Director Prabhakar Desai.
Sakal Times had reported at the beginning of this year that the elections are likely to be held mid-year. The students’ election will be held after over two decades in the State. After the State Public University Act, 2016 came into existence in 2017, students’ unions were hopeful that the elections will be finally held after 20 years’ gap.
“It will most probably be held between August and September. It will take one month’s time to complete the entire election process. The schedule of the election will be published soon,” said Desai.
Speaking about the upcoming workshop with principals and directors, Desai said, “We will discuss various parameters during this session and collect suggestions from them over how to manage the entire election process for smooth conduction. Also, there is another meeting to be held on July 17 in Mumbai, after which the final dates of elections will be declared,” said Desai.
The principals and directors will be provided a tentative schedule of the election to prepare for the same during this workshop.
“There are a few measures suggested in the State Government Resolution (GR) to avoid violence during the students’ election. According to the GR, no political force should be involved in the election. The students’ unions can independently participate in this election. No rally or speeches or posters are allowed for campaigning in the election,” said Desai.
Meanwhile, students’ union representatives are sceptical about whether the elections will happen at all. “We haven’t been communicated anything about the elections. So we are assuming they will happen only after State Assembly elections in November. Also, the admission process gets over by September,” said Vilas Sable, Secretary of the Students’ Federation of India, Pune district committee.
“However, as and when the election dates are declared, we will need only 15 days to prepare,” he added.
“We will definitely campaign in a democratic manner. So the issue of violence will not be there. The campaign will be carried out peacefully and the message of brotherhood needs to be publicised and instilled amongst all,” said Satish Gore, member of National Students Union of India (NSUI).
