BENGALURU: Decades back elections to Students Union were banned in Karnataka over clashes among warring students, however, the elections to Students Union in Colleges and Universities are set to make a comeback this year in the State after the Cabinet meeting okayed holding elections.

The conduct of elections to the Students’ Union is not mandatory on part of a College or a University. Elections will be conducted only if students decide on the need for holding elections. A College Management has no role to decide on holding Students Union elections.

“If students decide against elections, then, no elections will be conducted,” stated Deputy Chief Minister Dr G. Parameshwar in Bengaluru on Wednesday after the Cabinet meeting. He explained the Students Union elections are re-introduce to develop leadership qualities among students, inculcate in them democratic values among others.

Parameshwar said election will be held for a lone President post, two Vice-Presidents post including one for a female, a lone general secretary post, two joint secretaries of which one will be for female and 6 executive committee posts including two reserved for female members. “No caste-based reservation is allowed,” asserted the Deputy Chief Minister.

The election to the Students Union was okayed in the cabinet meeting based on a report from a Committee headed by Minister of Medical Education Dr Sharanprakash Patil.

The Committee gathered details from their visits to Colleges and Universities and submitted a report to the State Government. In reply to a query on violence during elections, Parameshwar said “We will initiate measures to control it.” Parameshwar said more details on the conduct of elections will be announced later.