Patna: Patna University is buzzing with activity as students cast their votes in the student union elections on Saturday, February 28. Over 19,000 students are eligible to vote, making it one of the largest student polls in recent years. Voting began at 8:30 am and will continue until 2:30 pm across 41 polling stations, divided into 14 constituencies to cover the entire university campus. Around 200 ballot boxes have been set up, and all votes will be securely stored at Patna Arts and Crafts College before counting begins at 4:30 pm. Results are expected to be announced late at night.
A total of 40 candidates are contesting five central panel positions, while 45 students are competing for the councillor positions. Five councillors were elected unopposed, and their formal announcement will also be made today. The race for the president’s position is the most competitive, with 11 candidates vying for the post. Eight students are contesting for vice-president, nine for general secretary, and six each for joint secretary and treasurer. Students have shown keen interest, campaigning actively with supporters and raising issues that affect everyday life on campus.
During the election campaign, candidates focused on pressing campus concerns such as library facilities, digital education, hostel conditions, academic arrangements, and the examination system. Students are hopeful that the new union will address these issues. The Vice-Chancellor of Patna University, Namita Singh, urged students to participate peacefully and responsibly. She said, “The university is identified by its students. They are the bearers of its dignity. Everyone’s cooperation is essential for smooth and fair elections.”
The administration has put in place strong security arrangements at the counting site, with support from the Patna district authorities to prevent any disturbances. The vice-chancellor emphasised that the student union is not just a body of elected representatives but the voice of the university. She encouraged all students to vote and choose leaders wisely, reminding them that their decisions today will shape the future of the university. With preparations complete and enthusiasm high, Saturday marks a key moment in Patna University’s academic and student life.
