02 September,2010 07:58 AM IST | | Vatsala Shrangi
With stringent norms being enforced strictly, Varsity's walls bear a deserted look as posters and pamphlets of aspirants are few and far between
Tomorrow is the big day at Delhi University. On September 3, the varsity will elect its new students' union following a rather sober and lacklustre election campaign. Thanks to the poll code recommended by the Lyngdoh committee, posters, stickers and pompous modes of electioneering were conspicuous by their absence this year.
Snapped: Till last year the election season saw a colourful campus with
huge posters of contestans displayed all over. file pic
At Prem Studio, the renowned photography lab in Kamla Nagar near the university's north campus, business has been rather dull.
"After the Supreme Court ruling on student elections, I agree the campus and the city are neat and clean. But it has completely robbed the elections of their charm. Student posters served as the name and identity of contestants, which have just disappeared this time. There is a lot of confusion and except for devoted members of the parties, students otherwise are not familiar with the candidates," said Umesh Sabharwal, Managing Director, Prem Studio.
The studio has been in the business of election campaigning photographs for the past 18 years and the premises would be flooded at this time every year, with students demanding attractive posters and stickers. "We had a students queuing up especially for poster photographs, but the number has come down by half this time. Also, a noticeable change is that students have been asking for simple passport size photos to submit at the election office," said Vimal Kapoor, studio in-charge.
Most students aren't complaining, with a long weekend ahead. But it's a different picture for those involved in the election process. "We are going strictly by the Lyngdoh guidelines and members of my party have just got their passport size photos clicked," said Ashutosh Shrivastav, Delhi State Secretary, ABVP.
BY THE BOOK
The regular poll fervour was missing from the campaigning for the Delhi University elections, which ended Wednesday as students adhered to the official guidelines, and eschewed electioneering in cars, using drums and other musical instruments.u00a0 A total of 11 candidates will compete for the post of President in the election, which will see a total of 30 other candidates vying for the three posts of Vice-President, Secretary and Joint Secretary.
