JNUSU elections to be held by woman election commissioner

THE UPCOMING Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections will be conducted by a woman chief election commissioner (CEC) — a first for the university. First year PHD scholar Ishita Manna will take charge on Monday and set the election process in motion.

Unlike other universities, JNUSU elections are conducted entirely by students with no involvement of the administration. For the appointment of the CEC, the JNUSU proposes the names of five ‘apolitical’ students, one of whom is then selected by members of the Election Committee who are in turn elected to the general body meetings (GBMS) held in all schools of the university.

Manna — a student of the Centre for Regional Development — has been involved in the conduct of JNUSU elections for the last four years. “In a meeting convened by the JNUSU, Ishita Manna, a first year PHD student of the School of Social Sciences (SSS) was unanimously appointed as the CEC,” said former CEC Dileep Maurya.

Speaking about being the first woman CEC to conduct elections, Manna told The Indian Express, “In 2009 also a woman CEC was elected but elections weren’t conducted that year. I will be the first woman CEC to conduct the elections. I will assume office on Monday and begin the election process thereafter.”

JNUSU Joint Secretary Saurabh Sharma welcomed the decision of appointing a woman CEC. “Congratulations to her and our best wishes. We will support and help her throughout the election process.”

While no official announcement has been made so far, JNUSU elections are likely to be held on September 9 — the same day as the Delhi University Students’ Union elections.

Last year, the post of the president was bagged by Kanhaiya Kumar from the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) while the post of joint secretary was bagged by ABVP after 14 years. The post of vice-president and general secretary, however, were won by the AISA.