Students union polls in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal, Aug 18: Nearly a year after Prof H S Sabharwal was lynched to death by ABVP leaders during students union elections at Ujjain, students union elections in all colleges in Madhya Pradesh for 2007-08 academic session are scheduled for August 23 and 24 after it was preponed from August 29 and 30.

Changes were effected in the election procedure on the Supreme Court directive in accordance with the recommendations of the Lyngdoh committee. The state government issued directives to all to abide by the model code of conduct and principals would be held responsible for its enforcement, official sources said today.

Office-bearers will be elected from among the elected class representatives. Election expense ceiling has been fixed at Rs 5,000 for each candidate, while printed poster, banner and other election material will remained banned. Only hand written poster, banner and handbills will be allowed. Returns of election expenses shall have to be submitted within 10 days of election.

On August 26 last year, Prof Sabharwal was lynched to death by ABVP leaders immediately after postponement of students union elections at Madhav College, Ujjain. About half a dozen ABVP leaders, including its then state unit president Shashi Ranjan Akela, were charged with murder.

Recording of the statements of witnesses at a Ujjain court was almost in the final stage when the hearing was stayed on Supreme Court directive after Prof Sabharwal's son Himanshu sought transfer of the case outside Madhya Pradesh for a fair trial. The apex court had issued notice to the state government in this regard.

UNI