YFE for impartial enforcement of code of conduct in DU polls

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Youth for Equality today launched an indefinite hunger strike demanding impartial implementation of Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and model code of conduct in the upcoming Delhi University elections.

Still in its nascent stage, the YFE members are sitting on a hunger strike outside Delhi University's Arts Faculty against the flouting of 'model code of conduct' by the student political parties like NSUI and ABVP.

'' We have full respect for the Lyngdoh recommendations and election code but we want it to be implemented in full and without any bias,'' said YFE General Secretary candidate Disha.

'' We want DU administration to be unbiased and this strike is a symbolic protest against it,'' said Amit of YFE.

Recently, the Supreme Court had ordered the enforcement of the High Court orders on committee recommendations in the DUSU elections slated for September 7. As an immediate effect, contestants with less than 75 per cent attendance, above the age of 25 and failing in any of the examination were barred from fighting the election.

Following the fresh scrutiny of the nomination papers, besides one NSUI and three ABVP candidates, Youth for Equality's Shashank Shekhar (president) and Nisha Tomar (joint secretary) were also rejected.

'' We are not against Lyngdoh guidelines but all we want is that it should be for all,'' says Disha. '' The committee recommendations are not just about attendance, examination results or age,'' she said, adding the model code of conduct also says that no party should paste posters anywhere except the ''Wall of Democracy'', but as you can see, the printed posters (also against the code) are all over the campus, on streets, on vehicles''.

NSUI had recently taken out a rally against the code of conduct with thumping of drums and raising slogans.

'' You yourself can see that parties like NSUI are taking out rallies with so many followers, plush cars and caravan.

Where does all the money come from ,'' asks another YFE member, adding that as per law, no political party should interfere with the student election.

The apex court has fixed the budget for student election at Rs 5000 per party. ''They get so many people from outside for the campaign, spend so much of money but do nothing for the welfare of the students. Parties like ABVP and NSUI have politicised the student elections due to which they appear more like national polls,'' he added.

Accusing DUSU chief election officer Gurmeet Singh of being biased, the YFE members said: '' We want the election officer to be just and enforce the SC guidelines without any bias''. '' We had also sent a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor Deepak Paintal asking for the same,'' said Disha.

'' Code of Conduct should be for everyone,'' YFE said.

UNI