TUSWC proposes independent student union election on Falgun 28

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KATHMANDU: The Tribhuvan University Student Welfare Council (TUSWC) has proposed to hold an Independent Student Union election on Falgun 28. The meeting chaired by Principal Shivlal Bhusal on Wednesday decided to finalize the date of the election after consultation with the student body.

The council discussed election preparations with the deans of all 9 institutes and faculties of Tribhuvan University. Bhusal said that he had received information about the situation of student admission, teaching, and examination. There is a provision that new students cannot be admitted after the election date is announced.

It is mentioned in the Tertiary Organization and Academic Administration Rules that the Executive Council sets the date of the Self-Employment Election on the recommendation of the Student Welfare Council. Principal Bhusal said that the Directorate of Student Welfare and Sports will hold a meeting again after consulting with the students and recommending the election date. The Directorate has said that preparations have been made to discuss with the representatives of the student organization.

In the academic calendar of Tribhuvan University, there is a schedule of independent student union elections on February 14 every 2/2 years, but independent student union elections have not been held regularly since Falgun 2065. Elections were held in 26 campuses in Falgun 2073. Since independent student union elections are not regular, students have not been able to be represented in the important bodies of the campuses, from the university assembly. After the Executive Council announces the date of the election, the campus head appoints the election officer and helper to conduct the election.

Tribhuvan University officials have been arguing that the election can be completed with the support of student organizations, political parties, and the government. The students’ organization said that the election will depend on the will of the university officials and the campus head.

In 2074 and 2076, independent student union elections were postponed at the last moment after starting preparations. The university officials allege that the elections became uncertain because political parties and large student organizations were not ready at that time. The student organization has been saying that the university does not want to hold elections.

The extended term of the Independent Students’ Union elected in 2073 has also expired. It is mentioned in the rules that the term of independent student union can be extended twice by 6/6 months. Trivi’s attempt to hold elections in 074 on campuses where elections could not be held was not successful. The executive council had again announced the date of election on 2076 Falgun 14 but on Falgun 5 citing special reasons, TU postponed the election. There are 62 individual, 1,040 community and private campuses under Tribhuvan University, including the central campus.

Since the introduction of 28-year age limit and mixed electoral system, independent student union elections have been abolished. In this system, only students who have not completed 28 years of age by the last day of nomination are eligible to become candidates.

There is a provision that the chairman, secretary, and treasurer are directly elected and the vice chairman, joint secretary, and other members are elected proportionally. In the election, students can also run as organized or independent/individual candidates.

In the campus with up to 200 students, 11 members including officials, 15 if the number of students is more than 200, 15 if the number of students is more than 1000, 19 if there are more than 1000 students, and 21 members in the campus with more than 3000 students. The patron of the independent student union will be the campus head.

To be active in the protection and promotion of students’ rights and interests, to formulate and implement programs for the intellectual and character development of students, to create a suitable environment for learning in campus, to maintain discipline in students, to motivate them in intellectual, creative and extracurricular activities, for academic and institutional development in the campus Independent Students’ Union aims to be always active.