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EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
November 29: The run-up to the University of Mumbai's Senate elections has been riddled with controversy. While first it was complaints on lack of proper time for filing nominations and errors in electoral rolls, a case has been filed in the City Civil Court today challenging the Senate elections scheduled for tomorrow.
The Senate, the highest decision-making body in the university, has a principals' constituency, a management constituency and one for teachers, among others. While the principals' constituency has 15 elected members, the management constituency has 5 seats.
According to the plaintiff Vinod Tibrewala, president of the Rajasthani Sevasangh, the main ground for moving court was that instead of allowing all management institutions to exercise at least one vote, the university has restricted voting to only those managements which notified the names for preparing an election roll.
In addition to that, principals have now complained that voting papers have not reached on time. In fact, theyhave written to the Chancellor saying the university should be directed to extend the date of elections.
With elections to the Senate and Academic Council from the principals' constituency scheduled for Tuesday, the Association of Non-Government Colleges (ANGC) has written to the Chancellor that many principals in mofussil colleges have not got the voting papers yet.
In its letter, the ANGC has said though the elections have been scheduled for tomorrow, ``office-bearers of the association have been receiving frantic telephone calls from several principals in mofussil colleges that they have not received the voting papers from the university.'' According to the letter, voting is done by post and voting papers have to reach the university by 4 pm on Tuesday. Also, according to a circular issued by the university itself, voting papers should reach voters 15 days in advance. The ANGC has also mentioned the names of seven principals who have not received the voting papers.
Further, ``even if they receivevoting papers today, it is impossible for them to return the papers by 4 pm tomorrow, as they are in distant areas,'' the ANGC has stated. The university has also not announced the place, date and time for counting of votes, the ANGC has said, adding these facts should be made known to candidates in particular, as it was essential they be present during counting.
The university, on the other hand, insists ballot papers were despatched on time. In-charge registrar Dr M N Welling said ballot papers had been sent much before the stipulated 15 days by courier. ``If anyone hasn't received, we'll have to find why,'' he added.
Further, provisions in the statute allowed voters to apply for duplicate ballot papers. ``They should have applied earlier, we would have sent them duplicate ballot papers,'' Dr Welling said. He also said there was no question of postponing elections. Letters regarding the date and place of counting of votes had been sent over a week earlier, he added.
Advocate M P Vashi, appearing forthe plaintiff, said every management had the right to one vote. As against 220 managements, only 104 had notified and will be entitled to vote, he added. Ballot papers had not been sent to all managements, he added.
University officials said they will reply in an affidavit.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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