The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student union elections have been announced, with voting set for November 4 and results on November 6. During an all-party meeting, the JNU Election Commission emphasized the importance of following the Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations. These guidelines, implemented nationwide, ensure transparency and discipline in student politics. One of the most notable rules states that a student can contest a student union election only once during their course of study.

Formation of the Lyngdoh Committee
The Lyngdoh Committee was constituted in 2005 after the Supreme Court raised concerns about the growing influence of money and muscle power in student union elections. A six-member panel, chaired by former Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh, was tasked with framing reforms to make campus elections more transparent and fair. The committee’s report, submitted in 2006, was later adopted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and made applicable to all universities across India.

Committee Members
Apart from J.M. Lyngdoh, the committee included Professor Zoya Hasan (JNU), Dr. Pratap Bhanu Mehta (Centre for Policy Research), Professor Ved Prakash (NIEPA), retired CAG I.P. Singh, and Professor Dayanand (Association of Indian Universities).

Major Recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee

• Timing: Elections must be conducted within six to eight weeks of the start of the academic session.

• Eligibility:

  • Undergraduate students aged 17–22 years can contest.

  • Postgraduate students up to 25 years and PhD scholars up to 28 years can contest.

  • A student may contest elections only once, regardless of the outcome.

• Academic and Conduct Requirements:

  • Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory.

  • The candidate must not have any pending criminal cases, disciplinary actions, or academic backlogs.

  • No financial dues towards the institution should remain unpaid.

• Campaign Restrictions:

  • Use of printed materials, posters, loudspeakers, or vehicles is strictly prohibited.

  • The campaign period should not exceed 10 days.

  • Classes should continue without disruption during election activities.

• Spending Limit:

  • A candidate cannot spend more than Rs 5,000 on their campaign.

  • The entire election process should be completed within 10–12 days.

Implementation and Challenges
Though the Lyngdoh Committee’s recommendations are officially applicable to all universities, enforcement remains inconsistent. Despite repeated reminders, several institutions still witness rule violations — including overspending, repeated candidacies, and large-scale campaigning with posters and banners.