Bengaluru: With the cabinet giving its nod for campus union elections, public universities have started instructing affiliated colleges to take steps to begin the election process.Adikavi Sri Maharshi Valmiki University, Raichur, issued a notification on Sept 21 to colleges to conduct elections. “Govt has framed and issued guidelines to inculcate civic responsibility, accountability and democratic values among students. It has been directed to conduct student union elections in all affiliated undergraduate and postgraduate colleges under the university subject to the guidelines,” read the circular.“Currently, election code of conduct is in place because of upcoming polls. Once that is completed, colleges can go ahead with the elections. They are extremely important to inculcate leadership and democratic values,” said vice-chancellor Shivananda Kelaginamani.Bengaluru City University also issued a circular to affiliated colleges. “We will hold a review meeting with college principals on the preparation before they get into it. We need to give them some time,” said B Ramesh, vice-chancellor.Bengaluru North University has directed college principals to mandatorily submit a report regarding the election process.The elections are being reintroduced after a gap of 37 years in the state. They will be held for posts including one president, two vice-presidents, one general secretary, two joint secretaries (1 mandatorily reserved for women candidates) and six executive committee members (2 mandatorily reserved for women candidates).RULES TO FOLLOW* No appeal to caste or religion permitted* No posters or banners allowed; candidates can only print and distribute A5-sized handbills* Social media campaigning permitted, but messages provoking hatred, enmity or malice strictly prohibited* Use of money, power or inducements/allurements prohibited* Must have a minimum of 75% attendance in previous academic year (first-year students exempt)* Must not face criminal charges/chargesheet or be listed on any police rowdy sheet* Candidates must read and declare commitment to poll code of conduct before election officer
