Student political groups at Panjab University (PU) have started offering free trips to hills and parties to lure students ahead of the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) elections. This is happening even though the authorities have not yet finalised the schedule for the polls.
According to The Tribune, two major student groups have announced free trips this weekend, both targeting students of the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) — the department with the highest number of voters on campus.
Free trips to Shimla and Kasauli announced for UIET students
The first trip, to Shimla, is scheduled for August 22 and is backed by a student political outfit affiliated with a Haryana-based regional party. The second trip, to Kasauli, is set for August 23 and is organised by a campus political group that serves as the student wing of a national political party.
Both trips are being offered free of cost, a move that directly violates the rules and regulations governing student council elections. The groups appear to be prioritising voter appeal over compliance with election norms.
Why UIET students are the focus of these campaigns
The decision to target UIET students is not random. According to The Tribune, UIET has the highest number of voters among all departments at Panjab University. This makes the department a key battleground for student political groups looking to secure a strong voter base.
The timing of these trips is also significant. With the election schedule yet to be announced, the groups are using this window to build goodwill among students before the official campaign period begins.
Rules and regulations being ignored
The student groups are "not giving two hoots" about the rules and regulations that govern campus elections, according to the report. Offering free trips and parties is widely seen as an attempt to influence voters, which goes against the spirit of fair elections.
"Even as the schedule for hosting the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) elections is yet to be finalised by the authorities concerned, student political groups have already started luring students by offering 'free trips to hills' and 'parties'." — The Tribune
This is not the first time such tactics have been used in campus elections, but the scale and timing of these offers raise serious questions about the integrity of the upcoming polls.
What this means for the upcoming PUCSC elections
The use of free trips and parties to woo voters could set a problematic precedent for the PUCSC elections. If student groups are willing to spend money on such incentives, it may create an uneven playing field where groups with more resources have an unfair advantage.
It also puts pressure on the university authorities to act. With the election schedule still pending, there is time to address these violations and ensure that the polls are conducted fairly.
Our Take: Free trips undermine fair elections
In our view, offering free trips to students in exchange for votes is a clear violation of the spirit of democratic elections. It shifts the focus from issues and leadership qualities to material incentives, which is harmful for student politics.
To put it plainly, this is not how healthy campus democracy should work. Student groups should be competing on their ideas and plans for the student body, not on who can offer the most attractive freebies.
The university authorities must step in and take a firm stand against such practices. If left unchecked, this could become a regular feature of campus elections, undermining the credibility of the entire process. Students, too, should think carefully before accepting such offers — a vote is a responsibility, not a commodity to be bought.
