Confusion prevails over PUSU elections, final decision today

Patna: Confusion continued to prevail over the Patna University Students Union (PUSU) elections, scheduled for Feb 28, as the university’s notification postponing the polls remains in force despite student protests and claims that the elections would be held as planned.

The Patna University (PU) website still carries the notification deferring the elections until further orders. No fresh or signed notification has been issued formally restoring the original schedule.


Chief returning officer Shankar Kumar said a final decision on conducting the PUSU elections would be taken on Monday after discussions with all candidates contesting various posts, as reflected in the final list issued after scrutiny and withdrawal.

The university had on Saturday announced the postponement of the polls, citing “utter violation of code of conduct” and alleged indecent behaviour by students towards teachers. Soon after the announcement, a group of students allegedly gheraoed the PU office and pressured the authorities to withdraw the postponement order and conduct the elections as scheduled.

Amid the tense situation, dean of students’ welfare Y K Verma wrote on a piece of paper that the elections would be held as planned. However, the note did not carry the signature of the chief returning officer for the PUSU elections. In the absence of a duly signed notification, the official status of the elections remains unchanged.

Kumar said the candidates would be asked to reassure the university authorities that there would be no further violation of the code of conduct during campaigning. “If it is decided to hold the elections as scheduled, all the contestants would have to complete their campaigning within the remaining period,” he added.