J'khand witnesses students' union election after 27 years

Ranchi, Oct 8 (UNI) The fate of about 1800 candidates remained sealed in ballot boxes after the much-hyped polling for students' unions at all colleges, under three univerties in Jharkhand, were held today after a gap of 27 years amid tight security.

The respective district authorities took adequate precautionary measures to thwart any untoward incident. In contrast to the hullabaloo and heated campaign by different student bodies witnessed during the run up to the elections, the polling continued peacefully till 1600 hrs.

Counting of votes would be held tommorrow and oath would be administered on October 10.

The elections were held for the post of the president, vice-president, secretary, joint secretary and deputy secretary in each college under Ranchi University (RU), Sidhu Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU) in Dumka and Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) of Hazaribagh.

The elections were held independently and candidates were backed by mainly NSUI, ABVP, Jharkhand Chatra Morcha and 15 other outfits.

The poll percentage was around 40 per cent at RU, where 1.25 lakh students exercised their frenchise.

About 1018 candidates from 41 colleges under RU were in the fray.

In SKMU, about 40 per cent polling was recorded in 22 teaching units spread over six districts of Santhal Pargana area.

There were about 400 candidates in the fray in SKMU.

Dean of Students Welfare of SKMU A N Ansari said no violation of code of conduct was reported and students also enjoyed to take part the election after such a long gap.

The VBU Dean of Students' Welfare, E N Siddiqui said about 50 per cent polling was recorded where 222 candidates were in the fray for the five posts in each college repectively.

UNI