The Jadavpur University Research Scholars’ Association (JURSA) has emerged victorious in the election to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Polling for the ICC was held on 2 December, with roughly 1,700 eligible voters on the rolls, of them, 690 exercised their franchise. Thirteen voters opted for NOTA. The results were declared on Wednesday.
JURSA secretary Abhik Ghosh described the result as a mandate for inclusive campaigning. “We worked with everyone, irrespective of political affiliation, and this victory reflects that. The committee functioning so far was illegal. We have campaigned for nearly three years to ensure free and fair elections,” he said. Winning candidate Rachayeeta Ray has now been elected as the ICC representative for research scholars.
The final count shows JURSA securing a decisive 453 votes. The Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) received 114 votes, while both AISA and the DSO finished with 58 votes each. Eight ballots were declared invalid. Five student organisations contested the election. Although the TMCP had initially opposed the decision to conduct the polls, the organisation ultimately entered the race.
The election marks a significant administrative step for Jadavpur University. The decision to conduct elections follows sustained protests by students and research scholars, who have demanded that the ICC be reconstituted in line with UGC guidelines. Students noted that ICC representatives were previously nominated from elected students’ union members. However, the university has not held student union elections in the past five years
