The second phase of the student union elections at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has been abruptly postponed, leading to a war of words between major student organisations. The decision came following the intervention of the High Court, which acted on a petition filed by members of the Kerala Students Union (KSU).
High Court Halts Election Process
The election, which was scheduled for Friday, was put on hold after the High Court's intervention. The KSU had approached the court seeking a re-notification of the entire election process. In their petition, they raised serious allegations of constitutional violations, procedural lapses, and administrative arbitrariness.
In a formal letter addressed to the university's vice-chancellor, the KSU argued that the election notification itself breached the CUSU Constitution. They specifically pointed to Article 15(6), which requires the electoral roll to be published at least 15 days before the official notification is issued. The student outfit claimed this mandatory rule was ignored.
Allegations of Confusion and Inconsistency
The KSU's grievances extended beyond the constitutional issue. They highlighted significant confusion caused by the circulation of two undated and indistinguishable electoral rolls. This lack of clarity, they contended, prejudiced the candidates and compromised the fairness of the electoral process.
Another major point of contention was the rejection of a nomination. The candidacy of Almas Fadiya K. was reportedly turned down because the semester details of the student backing her nomination were deemed incorrect. However, KSU countered this, stating that the details were filed precisely as per the university's own notification dated December 6. They further accused the Chief Returning Officer of displaying a lack of clarity and inconsistency in handling the matter.
Adding to the logistical woes, concerns were raised about elected University Union Councillors (UUCs) being unable to cast their votes. This was due to their participation in the south zone inter-university competitions, effectively disenfranchising a section of the electorate.
SFI Counters: Accusations of Delay Tactics
While KSU presented its legal and procedural challenges, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) launched a political counterattack. They dismissed the petition as a desperate tactic. The SFI accused the KSU of attempting to delay the election out of fear of an impending defeat.
This accusation is rooted in the outcome of the first phase of the elections, where the SFI reportedly made a strong showing. The rival group implied that the KSU, anticipating a loss, was using the court to stall the democratic process.
The postponement has thrown the campus into a state of uncertainty, with the future schedule for the union polls now hanging in the balance until the court's final decision or a fresh administrative resolution.
