In election process mired in controversies, latest change made on demand of students’ representatives
The previous MU Senate’s term ended in August 2022. File pic
With Mumbai University (MU) Senate elections prompting renewed voter registration, its Election Department has implemented changes to the registration process. Among other changes, the new system will allow applicants to modify applications until the deadline. The system with new changes, demanded by student organisations, will be available soon. Following demands from students and political youth wings, the process has also been shifted online completely, clarified the MU Election Department in a circular.
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A re-registration of voters was recommended by a three-member committee, chaired by R S Mali, former VC of the Bahinabai Chaudhari Uttar Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, on October 25 after concerns over the final electoral roll were raised by BJP MLA Ashish Shelar. It said that was an error in the voter list prepared for the poll (graduate constituency). Hence, the MU’s management council decided to make a new one. The process began on October 30 and will continue till November 30.
Accordingly, MU’s Election Department modified the registration process, but the modifications did not go well with students’ representatives, who called for accepting the existing/old voter list. They also wanted the submission of physical applications to be optional, along with mandatory inclusion of Aadhaar, removal of OTP requirements, and the option to edit applications.
MU’s latest circular on the matter states, “For applicants who adhered to the previous voter registration process disclosed on November 9, 2022, the soft copies of their documents will be available for download on Thursday, November 16, 2023, after 5 pm. Additionally, all applicants are required to upload clearly visible documents in the designated spaces while completing the new application.” MU officials declined to comment on the issue citing that the matter is in court.
The matter has also reached the Bombay High Court (HC), where an advocate, Sagar Devre, has claimed that the MU’s decision through an August 17 circular to postpone the elections was influenced by political pressure. A hearing is scheduled for November 28 in a contempt allegation made by Devre later. The MU has maintained that the postponement was in accordance with the State’s statutory instructions.
‘This is a farce’
“Under the guise of curbing duplication and discrepancies, the MU administration has turned the system into a farce. Previously, old voters had to rectify existing forms and submit a fresh one. There was also the requirement to submit a physical form at the Fort campus. It seems more straightforward to cross-check old forms for duplication and keep them unchanged. After our protest, they have allowed edits to the form,” said Satosh Gangurde, student activist and state chief organiser of Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena. Former Senate member and Yuva Sena member Pradeep Sawant said, “The ruling parties are afraid of losing, which is why they have halted elections on all levels. They are tweaking the systems to turn the result in their favour. This controversy proves it.”
How to register
University Graduates can register as voters online at https://mu.ac.in ‘Election 2022’ or https://mu.eduapp.co.in until 5 pm on November 30, for the Senate election of registered graduates.
Nov 30
Day voter registration ends
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