Kochi: Even as the Election Commission is trying to ensure participation of all voters in the polls, around 1,000 students in Kerala may have to forgo voting on May 16. Otherwise, they will have to dump their dream of pursuing studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. The entrance examinations for admissions to postgraduate courses in JNU, falls on the election day and the only exam centre in the state is Air Force School at Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram.
As there are examinations in the morning and evening, the students from most Kerala districts would not be able to exercise their franchise. “At first we thought of skipping the examination so as to save my maiden vote. After a second thought, I decided to attend the examination,” said Thoolika, a resident of Kadavanthra.
Some students have lodged complaints with the Election Commission. “We want the JNU authorities to either allot more centres across the state or postpone the examinations,” said Rayson Kuriakkose of Piravom. JNU authorities ruled out postponing the examinations.
“It is really impossible for us to postpone the examinations at this juncture. We have to publish the results on time,” JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said.
“The issue should have been taken up earlier,” he said. Students said the exam time table was published only a few days ago. “The date of assembly polls in Kerala and Tamil Nadu was announced months ago.
The JNU should have considered it while scheduling the exams,” said Shibu Paul, parent of a student. “Students coming from distant districts will have to stay in Thiruvanthapuram on the eve of elections. In the case of girl students, parents have to accompany them. So, they also will not be able to cast their votes,” he said.
The JNU authorities, who fixed Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom, as the venue initially, had to shift it because it was a polling station.