Students’ organisations of Patna University (PU) on Tuesday stepped up their demand to organise varsity elections after the education department gave its nod to the poll process.

Members of All India Students’ Federation (AISF) staged a demonstration in front of the PU administration building, demanding that the varsity administration declare the dates for the students’ election. The demonstration continued even as the vice-chancellor was chairing a meeting with teachers to discuss the election process.

On Monday evening, the education department — citing various provisions of Bihar State Universities Act and Patna University Act — put the responsibility of conducting students’ body elections on university administrations.

After the meeting, Patna University vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh told The Telegraph: “The university has no problem in conduction the students’ union poll. We are planning to constitute a committee comprising senior teachers who will look into various aspects of the process.”

Sources said the committee would be constituted shortly. It will prepare a list of regulations according to which the students’ poll will be held. Once the regulations are framed, it would be sent to the chancellor for final approval.

A source said the students’ union poll in PU is likely to be held after the examinations in August or September this year. If everything goes smoothly, elections would be conducted at the varsity after 28 years.

Sources said the biggest headache for the varsity is conducting the union polls according to the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee, as many students’ organisations are opposed to it.

According to a Supreme Court directive the students’ union election should be held according to the recommendations of the committee, which suggested that the age of candidates should not be more than 25 years and he or she should have at least 75 per cent attendance.

The committee has also suggested a ban on the use of printed posters and banners. Only handmade posters would be allowed. There would also be a limit on the elections expenses (maximum limit Rs 5,000). AISF state secretary Biswajeet told The Telegraph: “We don’t want elections according to the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, as we do not agree to the bar on age and attendance.”

Asked why they are opposed to the provisions, the students’ leader said: “Many students start their postgraduate courses a few years after graduating. The age factor would prevent them from contesting the polls. Also, many students prepare for competitive exams and their attendance falls below 75 per cent. ”

A senior teacher said: “The students’ union elections would create tension on campus. The education department’s directive is an attempt to befool the students.”