The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to hold its students’ union elections, which had been stayed by the apex court in 2008 for non-compliance of some of its guidelines.
While allowing the polls, a bench headed by Justice A K Ganguly also relaxed some of the eligibility criteria recommended by the Lyngdoh committee for students to contest polls.
The bench increased the age limit to contest the students’ union polls from 28 to 30 years and also waived the mandatory 75 per cent attendance pre-requisite for them to contest the polls.
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The apex court, however, said Lyngdoh committee’s recommendations for not using more than 5,000 pamphlets will continue for the JNU students’ union elections.
The apex court had in October 2008 stayed the elections and had issued contempt notices to JNU Vice Chancellor and Registrar for their failure to comply with the Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations which was accepted by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had appointed the panel, headed by former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh, to suggest ways and means to reform students’ union election across the country and rid them of the influence of money and muscle power.
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The panel in September 2006 had given its various guidelines and suggestions for smooth and orderly conduct of students’ union election across the country.