31 Aug 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Polling for the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) began at 9:30 am on Monday amid tight security arrangements across the Chandigarh campus. Around 16,500 students are eligible to vote in the election.
Four-Way Contest for President
This year’s election features a four-way contest for the post of PUCSC president.
The candidates are Gurman Singh Sidhu of NSUI, Aadil Brar of ASAP, Ankit Bidhan of ABVP and Darshpreet Singh of Sath. Students are also voting for vice-president, secretary, joint secretary and departmental representatives.
Voting Across Campus Departments
Polling is being conducted through booths set up across the university’s departments. The election process is being closely monitored by university authorities and security personnel to ensure voting takes place peacefully.
Students have been advised to carry their valid university identity cards while reaching their respective polling locations.
Heavy Security Deployment
Security has been significantly strengthened on campus ahead of and during polling.
Authorities had earlier stepped up checking at university gates amid concerns over the movement of outsiders. University security officials also reported seizing more than 100 bats, rods and similar items during checks in the days leading up to the election.
Results Expected After Counting
Voting for the main council positions is scheduled to be followed by counting at the university’s Gymnasium Hall.
Departmental representative results are expected earlier, while the results for the main office-bearer posts are expected later in the day.
Political Significance
The PUCSC elections are closely watched because student politics at Panjab University has traditionally been linked to wider political organisations and movements.
This year’s contest has also drawn attention because of the involvement of student groups associated with major political parties.
SAD Student Wing Backs ABVP
The election has acquired an additional political dimension after the Student Organisation of India (SOI), the student wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal, extended its support to ABVP in the PUCSC presidential contest. The move has been viewed as significant ahead of next year’s Punjab Assembly elections.
A Key Test for Student Groups
With thousands of students voting in a closely watched presidential contest, the election is expected to provide an indication of the relative strength of competing student organisations on the Panjab University campus.
The focus now shifts to voter turnout, counting and the eventual composition of the new student council.