Patna: Various students' associations have pulled up their socks in anticipation of the students' union election for state universities likely to be held by the month-end.

As per the directives of chancellor of universities Governor Ram Nath Kovind, all universities were asked to conduct elections by February-end. However, none of the nine universities barring Patna University, Jai Prakash University (Chhapra) and Veer Kuer Singh University (Ara) have been able to do so.

The vice-chancellors of different universities have been asked by the chancellor's office to conduct students' union elections by March-end. The Magadh University is going to hold the students' union election on March 17. The Magadh University administration has started preparations for students' union election. Magadh University has colleges in more than six districts with the largest number of voters. The Magadh University had asked all college principals to release its voter list on Monday (March 5). Most colleges of Magadh University have released the voter list.

Tapan Kumar Shandilya, principal, College of Commerce, arts and science, said: "As per university administration directions, we released the voter list for students' union election on Monday. A meeting of college teachers and non-teaching staff was held on the college premises." As per the MU itinerary, for students' union election the last date of filing nomination is March 8, while scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on March 9, followed by withdrawal of candidature on March 10 and elections scheduled on March 17.

The RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) which is buoyed with the performance of its candidates at Patna University,is planning to repeat its performance at Magadh University. At JP University and Veer Kuer Singh University, the BJP-backed unions won all five central panel posts.

ABVP state joint secretary Sujit Kumar said: "As Magadh University is the biggest university, we have started preparations for students' union elections. We are optimistic of winning the Magadh University students' union election too as we have a panel at all constituent colleges of Magadh University."

Left-backed students' associations, too, have started preparations. All India Students' Federation (AISF) state secretary. Sushil Kumar said: "We will go to colleges in rural areas as we are optimistic of winning elections." The polls at Magadh University is held through an indirect process with the students electing representatives, followed by which representatives elect five central panel members. The five posts include president, vice-president, general secretary, secretary and treasurer. More than 2 lakh voters are there at MU which is spread across 44 colleges.