Allahabad University conducts polling peacfully amid gross violation of Lyngdoh recommendations, results likely by late night

ALLAHABAD: Amidst gross violation of the guidelines of the Lyngdoh committee recommendation and heavy deployment of security forces the campus of Allahabad University witnessed the polling for electing the new student union, on Saturday.

Although polling was held peacefully, but almost every candidate and their support were seen making mockery of the recommendation of the Lyngdoh committee recommendations, be it on the road in front of Arts campus or the within the campus, right up the very entrance of the polling booths.

The results of polls would be declared by late night. Polling was held from 8am to 2pm in 48 polling booths of which 32 were in the Arts campus (for male students) and 16 were in Women Hostel (WH) campus (for female students). The polling percentage was recorded at 45.5%. The voting percentage for male students was high (57%) while for the female student it was 27% only.

In the morning, as the clock struck Eight, the barricading, installed at the entrance of KPUC gate was opened for the students to come in. The polling, which continued till 2:00 pm witnessed gross violation of the Lyngdoh committee recommendation. The supporters of the candidates were seen standing and trying to woo the voters right from the very entrance of the KPUC gate upto the polling booths.

Although the norms do not allow taking out of any procession, but the supporters of various candidates were seen shouting and cheering, mustering support for their leader. These supporters were seen standing outside all the polling centers along with the handbills and visiting cards which was being given to the voter as he was entering the polling center.

If this was not enough to violate the norms, the candidates were seen themselves roaming in the campus along with their supporters who were shouting slogans in his support. These candidates, especially those fighting for the post of president and general secretary, were seen going inside the polling booth and interacting with the voters, waving and folding hands, appealing to support him.

There are Seven candidates for the post of president and Ten for the post of vice-president. Beside, Seven are for the post of General Secretary, Nine for joint secretary and Five for cultural secretary.

As the polling was being held at the two campuses, large groups of students took out rallies in support of their candidates, the roads around both the entry points were carpeted by the handbills. Along with these, the supporters of various candidates were seen appealing to the voters to poll for their candidate. Various buildings of the two faculties were pasted with posters of candidates.

Even the district administration had made elaborative security arrangements for the polling as heavy police force was deployed in several sensitive areas inside and outside the varsity.

After polling, the ballot boxes were collected from all the booths and shifted to the first floor of the central library were counting had started after 5.00 pm and the results were expected by late night. The Returning officer Prof R K Singh informed that the victorious candidates will be administered oath of office at the Union Hall at 10am on October 15.

"The polling was peaceful in all the polling booths for which the students should be congratulated", said the Returning officer.