SKMU administrative building. Pix: Mani Keshri

Dumka, Nov. 19: Sidho Kanho Murmu University (SKMU), Dumka, is set for the first phase of students’ union polls slated for November 25.

Election activities have accelerated with students scrambling for last-minute preparations and university sending out notifications for its constituent and affiliated colleges. SKMU has also published its electoral rolls.

The university that recently announced its poll schedule for all 21 colleges —13 constituent, eight affiliated colleges and the postgraduate wing — has been emphasising on fair elections this year.

In fact, the stress is so strong that the university encouraged its political science department to organise a daylong seminar on November 18 on ways to conduct the proceedings in a “transparent manner”. The programme was participated by a number of students, along with this year’s candidates. Also in this week, Dean of students’ welfare Manoj Kumar Sinha held discussions with representatives of different students’ wings and bodies to underline norms and conditions.

The university has, for the first time, placed a complete ban on graffiti and loudspeakers on the campus during campaigns. The model SKMU poll code also prohibits the entry of political party activists inside the campus for campaigning.

SKMU, however, is allowing candidates to organise meetings, but only after they have procured necessary permission from the college administration. “Any negative report from the administration could result in the termination of a candidature,” Sinha conceded.

Despite the ban, parties have begun to wield their will over the students’ bodies, but the strict model code of conduct has made them more cautious this year.

Aspirants for all five categories, including that of the president, the vice-president, secretary, joint secretary and deputy secretary are expected to file their nomination papers on November 19 and 20, followed by the process of screening and withdrawal (if any), on November 21 and 22, respectively. On November 23, the final list of contestants would be published and the campaign would last till 4pm on November 24.