Student elections: Govt order caps poll expenditure at Rs 20,000

Bengaluru: The government on Friday issued an order on re-introduction of student elections in the state.According to the order, elections are mandatory across all government, aided, and private unaided colleges, as well as university-affiliated institutions under the Higher Education, Collegiate Education, Technical Education, Medical Education, Agriculture, Veterinary, and Horticulture departments in Phase 1.The institutions have been asked to follow a mandatory schedule and conclude elections within five weeks from the start of the academic year, with the active election cycle completing in 10 calendar days.  Candidates must have achieved at least 75% attendance in the preceding academic year (1st-year degree students exempt). Candidate names must not appear in any criminal charge sheet or police rowdy sheet to contest.Karnataka campus polls to return after nearly four decadesPosters and banners are strictly prohibited. Candidates may only distribute printed A5-size flyers. Campaigning on caste or religious grounds is banned. Social media campaigning is permitted, but posts generating hatred, jealousy, or hostility are prohibited. Money, power, and inducements are strictly banned.The total election expenditure (ballots, voter lists, administrative costs) is capped at Rs 20,000, funded directly from college accounts. Candidates must submit post-election expenditure details to a committee comprising the principal and three faculty members.Political parties, political organisations, and non-students are strictly barred from election activities.Raising objections for not allowing student organisations to involve in the elections, the ABVP, AIDSO, SFI, AISA have petitioned the government on the same.

Source: Deccan Herald