Composition

The Senate comprises 91 members, of which 36 are nominated and eight are ex-officio members. The rest are elected from different constituencies — 15 from the graduate constituency, eight from among principals and lecturers of affiliated colleges. They, in turn, elect three members each while the various faculties in the University elect six members. Two members each are elected by professors, readers and lecturers.

The ex-officio members include the Chief Minister of Punjab, the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, the UT Adviser and the State Education Minister among others. Most of these members have never attended a single session in the last four years and are rarely seen during the elections to the Syndicate or the faculty.

The varsity is funded both by the Centre and Punjab Government. Earlier, there were members from Haryana in the Senate. But since Haryana’s decision of not contributing to the grant, there are no ex-officio members from the state.

The Panjab University has 176 affiliated colleges and over 80 technical institutes including BEd colleges. In the last five years, the Senate has not admitted a representative from among the principals of the city’s government colleges. Apparently, they are not eligible to vote, as they are officiating principals.

Not all are content with the composition of the Senate. Former MP Satya Pal Jain, also a member of the Senate, says: “Over the years, the Senate has grown in size and this has become an obstacle to its proper functioning. The situation has come to such a pas that in case all members attend the session, there is no place to sit. I suggest that around 15 people from different walks of life should sit together and discuss the issue threadbare.”

Procedure

The elections are held in phases spread over three months. For the graduate constituency, all former students are eligible to vote. Graduates are eligible only three years completing their degree, while postgraduates can vote immediately after completion.

Enrollment in the constituency entails a rigorous process. The form is priced at a mere 25 paise but acquiring it is an extensive exercise. The amount (25 paise) has to be deposited in the bank after filling in a bank slip with the purpose code. This slip is to be shown to the election cell after which the form is given.

An official in the election cell said most candidates buy the forms in bulk and fill them up, instead of the voters. At times, the candidates are known to take the full list of students from colleges and then fill up forms.

On election day, polling booths are set up in Chandigarh, Punjab and, in some cases, in other states as well. This is done to facilitate voters who are spread all across. The voters mark their first, second and third preference for a candidate. The counting continues non-stop for a few days and finally the result is declared.

Changes desired

After the last Senate elections, a proposal to simplify the procedure was mooted. It was proposed that the counting be computerised and OMR sheets be used for casting votes. However, this was not implemented.

A long pending demand of the students has been that the Students’ Council president be nominated to the Senate. Sunny Bhardwaj, general secretary of the Council, says: “It would be beneficial for the students if their representative is nominated to the Senate which decides on issues their future. The students would also get a chance to express their views.”

Campaigning

Time is running out for candidates who are required to woo voters from vast constituencies. Many have started touring colleges spread all over Punjab.