Maharashtra may start student elections soon

The universities and affiliated colleges in Maharashtra may soon have student elections as the government has shown inclination to implement recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee.

A delegation of students from 12 city colleges recently met higher and technical education minister Rajesh Tope with a request to restart the campus elections.

"We are considering the matter positively and have no issues with recommendations made by the Lyndoh Committee. But we have to discuss the issue at the Government level before implementing them," Tope said.

The state's universities stopped the polls since 1991 following violence and other untoward incidents in the campus.

"The polls are necessary for students to participate in political process," Vishal Chavan from Ruia College, who led the delegation, said.

The six-member committee, headed by JM Lyngdoh - an ex-chief election commissioner - was constituted to reform student elections which often saw violence, money and muscle power. The panel submitted its report to Supreme Court in July 2006. The SC had directed its recommendations be implemented.

"Election is an integral part of democracy. Only a few youngsters get chance to take part in political process. But the campus polls would give chance to all students to participate in politics," NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad said.

The committee had suggested major reforms like expenditure limit of Rs5,000 per candidate, fixing 25 years as maximum age for contestants and compulsory attendance of 75% for candidates.