Most girls did not turn out for PUSU election on tuesday

Updated on: Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Most of the girls studying in co-educational institutions of Patna University are not aware of their right to vote and its importance. Most of them did not turn out to vote in the Patna University Students' Union (PUSU) election on Tuesday.

Ironically, the women students were considered the game changer in the PUSU election of which eve-teasing was a major poll issue.

At least 30 to 40% of the students in B N College are girls. Only a few of them were seen on the college campus during polling, much to the chagrin of the women candidates who had expected favours from the same gender. Suman Lata Maurya All India Democratic Students' Organization's (AIDSO)'s presidential candidate, said, "While the response was kind of OK in Magadh Mahila College and Patna Women's College, the girls of Patna College and B N College disappointed me."

Many girls did not venture out to exercise their franchise because they apprehended trouble despite deployment of forces. "Even otherwise only a few girls come to the college. How can you expect everyone's presence on an election day?" asked Parinita Kumari of B N College.

Sadly, many were unaware of the exact mode of voting. PG student Satyam Kumar said few people knew that there would be six ballot boxes with six different ballot papers of six different colours for the six posts. "We had to put a cross before the candidate of our choice and not tick it off on the ballot. No one inside the booth bothered to inform us about the nitty-gritty," he said and feared that many might have ticked off the candidates of their choice.

Lack of proper canvassing was also a reason for lack of enthusiasm among girls. Ajay Kumar, who is doing PG in English, said he saw only three of the 64 girl students from his department going to the polling booth. Asked why, he said very few girls were aware about the contestants.

Not that the women's colleges of the university recorded 100% turnout of voters. According to election officials, only 28% of the Patna Women's College voters and 49% of the Magadh Mahila College voters cast their votes. Shama Parveen,National Students' Union of India's vice-presidential nominee said, "But girls of the Patna Law College came out in larger numbers to cast their votes."

Most girls did not turn out for PUSU election on tuesday

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