Aligarh: Amid tight security, elections
to Aligarh Muslim University Students Union were held today
after a gap of four years with women contesting for top posts
for the first time.
A "high" turnout was witnessed in the "landmark"
elections held after a three-month agitation by the students
for restoration of their union, which was dissolved in 2007,
University sources said.
The students leaders had sought intervention of
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following which Union HRD
Minister Kapil Sibal took up the issue with AMU Vice-Cancellor
P K Abdul Aziz and university authorities finally consented to
restore the students` union last month.
According to an official spokesperson, for the first
time in the history of the institution, two women are
contesting for top posts of president and honorary secretary.
Asma Javed, a research scholar in Hindi department, is
is fighting for the post of president against six male
contenders. Naheed Mustafa is contesting for the post of
honorary secretary.
Earlier, the AMU Women`s college used to have a
separate union but it has been dissolved now.
The elections for the students` union are being held
on the basis of the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee.
Earlier, the elections were held under the 1920 AMU Act which
had no provision for participation of girl students in the
elections.
Also, students who are over 24 years of age have been
barred from contesting this time.
There are 21 candidates for the post of president,
vice-president and honorary secretary and 64 candidates for
the membership of the union`s executive cabinet, university
spokesman Rahat Abrar said.
The electorate strength is over 18,500. Results would
be announced tomorrow.
PTI
