Assam University Students’ Union Election: 5 out of 8 posts set to have uncontested winners; Memorandum alleges gross violation

Assam University Silchar is soon going to elect a new body of the Students’ Union after three years. The last election was held in the year 2019 and since then due to the COVID-19 induced Pandemic, the elections were at a standstill. This election has certainly brought joy among the “politically involved” students and also among the student wing of various political parties. Like every election, there are political spirits, rallies, postering and the “election drama”. The election that gave hopes for a free and fair democratic process is now becoming an election without contest.

Out of 8 posts, 5 posts have uncontested candidates and this includes even the heavyweight posts like President and General Secretary. The Provisional List of candidates was declared by the Varsity’s Office of Election Commission on July 23, 2022, where the office disqualified 4 nominations due to “overage”. The notice also stated that “The last date of withdrawal of nomination is July 25, 2022, between 10 am and 11 am in the office of Election Commission”.

Accordingly, the Office of Election Commission released the final list of candidates for Assam University Students’ Union (AUSU) today. The final list came with one interesting change and that was for the post of the President of the AUSU. Initially, the list had two nominations, namely Pallab Dey and Subhamoy Chanda but the final list didn’t have the name of Pallab Dey. The reason behind this disqualification according to some students is “over-age” while others say he withdrew his nomination himself.

The age bar for a candidate of Master’s Degree for this election is up to 25 years of age but according to sources he tried to hide his age from the commission and that is the reason why his nomination was withdrawn after much drama. Barak Bulletin tried to reach Pallab Dey for his comment and when asked why his nomination was withdrawn he responded with a memorandum addressed to the Vice Chancellor of Assam University and signed by the students led by Pallab Dey. The point 1 of the memorandum states, “Gross Violation of Constitutional Provisions” and the subsections read that some amendments passed by the Election Commission violated the constitution of the Union Election.

The second point of the memorandum is a huge shocker as it alleges the contesting candidate allegedly has criminal charges of “sexual offence” against his name. The memorandum’s point 2,subsection A read, “A complaint(Ref. no. ARCC/AS-6638) was filed against Subhamoy Chanda, a contestant for the post of President , on February 8, 2022. The content of the complaint reads , “A boy from my department (CSE) continuously sending bad messages and photos. Please inform to my University about this.” No details regarding the punishment accorded to the culprit is in the public forum. Since pending criminal record/ disciplinary action debars a candidate, his nomination is to be immediately cancelled”.

The memorandum also alleged that Subhamoy Chanda has failed to fulfil the minimum attendance requirement. The document also read, “Another complaint of ragging and harassment is pending with the vice chancellor against the aforesaid contestant. The complaint was filed by 2 girls students and 1 boy student from our university. No action, so far, has been taken by the university.”

Srinjana Mitra who is an uncontested contender for the position of Assistant General Secretary (Female) reiterated that this is a “gross violation of the electoral procedure of the Varsity”. Even though she didn’t specify what the violation was. When asked why there is less participation during this election, she said “it’s their personal choice”.

This morning the members of ABVP were seen celebrating the “victory” of Nabokishor Akura, the next Sports Secretary, as his position too remained uncontested. It will be interesting to see what other development this election debacle unfolds.