Candidates contesting the Delhi University Students Union elections this year can make use of the campus website and community radio to campaign and reach out to their voters.
The website has been hosted by the Delhi University Computer Centre to upload the propaganda material of the candidates.
Additionally, the candidates will be allowed a fixed time on the DU community radio for campaigning.
The time slot and order of the candidates would be decided through draw of lots in the presence of the candidates when the final list is declared on August 27.
For the first time, the University has made these arrangements. The candidates keep complaining that the maximum permitted expenditure is very limited and they cant cover all the colleges. The website and radio should be of great use to them to reach out to other students, said Chief Election Officer Gurmeet Singh on Wednesday.
However, the material to be placed on the website and the speeches to be broadcast on the community radio would require prior clearance from the Chief Election Officer to ensure that no objectionable material is used by the contestants.
The code of conduct for the candidates contesting the elections to DUSU and the college students union was announced on Wednesday. It will be in force from August 27 to September 5.
As per the code, under-graduate students between 17-22 years can contest elections, while for post-graduate candidates the upper age limit is 25 years. The candidate should not have any academic arrears in the year of contesting the election.
Candidates must also have attained the minimum percentage of attendance as prescribed by the University or 75 per cent attendance, whichever is higher.
The candidate will have one opportunity to contest the post of office-bearer and two opportunities to compete for the post of an executive member. No candidate can contest simultaneously for more than one post.
The maximum permitted expenditure per candidate has been fixed at Rs.5,000, and each candidate will, within two weeks of the declaration of the result, submit audited accounts to the college/University authorities.
No canvassing will be allowed in the hostels of the University and different colleges after 10 p.m. No candidate will be permitted to make use of printed posters, printed pamphlet or any other printed material for canvassing. They may only use hand-made posters and that too at certain designated places on the campus. Use of loudspeakers, vehicles and animals for canvassing has been prohibited.
A grievances redress cell will also be set up.
