PU council poll: Foreign pupils feel left out, groups term them silent voters

Contesting groups of the Panjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC) elections tried striking a vibe throughout their election campaign with various sections of young voters, but failed to approach foreign students on the campus with the same intensity.

The showpiece event of the campus which remained high on activity will witness the same enthusiasm on the polling day on September 5.

However, missing the vibe, a section of foreign students failed to find their involvement in the election fervour. Sources claimed that as many as 151 students from other countries applied for admission to various courses during the last academic year.

Of the total 151 registered, as many 142 opted to join their respective course. This year, the university has already confirmed admission of many foreign students and by September 15, the numbers are likely to go up. Those students who will submit their fee till September 4 against the allotted admission will be eligible to cast their vote. “I am not even aware about the hype among the students. While I was walking to my department, two people approached me and asked for my vote. I don’t even remember who they were or any name of their party. I will just follow my friend on the polling day and follow their lead,” said a newly inducted student from the management department of the campus.

While parties issued various agendas for the welfare of the students, these foreign nationals hardly found any mention in any groups’ priority. “I am actually unaware about what’s happening on the campus. On the first day, I thought something critical happened and literally ran towards a building. I was playing football at that time. Later, my friends made me understand the process. I felt, they should have included something for us in their agendas,” said another student asking not to be named. His friend laughed, “My girlfriend was scared watching so many policemen sitting outside the (football) field.”

While some foreign students felt ignored, the groups claimed that these nationals were very much part of the university and their campaign. “Our agenda refers to every student of the university. The foreign nationals are a proud part of the students’ fraternity and all benefits promised will be extended to them as well,” said Akul, a representative of a students’ political group.

A student who is managing the social campaign of one of the groups added that, “See, we ask them to accompany us on campaign trails and canvassing, but they are afraid of coming out in the open. We termed them as our ‘silent’ voters, and as per the trend, they turn up in good numbers to cast their votes, especially those living in the hostels.”

Campaign ends, over to D-Day

As curtains were drawn on the election campaigning, the contesting groups will now focus on verbal canvassing with just two days left for the polling. Today, a total of 13 rallies were conducted from 5pm to 9pm, majorly across all girls’ hostels.

YC leader suspended

In a letter issued recently, the Punjab Youth Congress has suspended its general secretary and former PUCSC joint secretary Karan Randhawa from the body over anti-party activities. Randhawa was issued a show-cause notice by the Youth Congress (YC) over his involvement in campaign for Anurag Dalal, the presidential candidate of rebel faction which left the NSUI recently.