The Ministry of Education has announced to hold "Student Council" elections in government schools across Punjab to organize students' representation. The elections for Student Council are scheduled to take place on May 16, for which an electoral schedule and a code of conduct have been issued. These elections will be held in three sections in middle, high, and higher secondary schools, with elections for President, Vice President, General Secretary, and Finance Secretary in each section. Additionally, one class representative will be elected from each class, and only individual elections will be allowed; group elections will not be permitted. The Ministry of Education has stated that the purpose of Student Council elections is to promote democracy and democratic values at the grassroots level. While student unions were once politically active and divided into groups, the Student Council will function as individual entities. Registration papers will be collected from May 8 to 10, scrutiny will be conducted on May 11, electoral symbols will be issued on May 11, poster campaigning will take place on May 12, the election campaign will run from May 13 to 15, and polling will be held on May 16.

Appeals regarding election results will be heard on May 17, and decisions will be announced simultaneously. A formal Election Commissioner, along with ballot papers and ballot boxes, will oversee the process. Polling agents will be appointed, and every candidate must adhere to the rules of conduct, ethics, and accept the results. These elections will be held annually in the future. Director Monitoring Education Punjab, Malik Ghulam Fareed, has issued all details to school heads and education officers. The objective of the Student Council is to promote extracurricular activities in educational institutions, increase participation in sports, and encourage debate and essay competitions. Following the elections, all elected representatives will take an oath. Elected representatives will serve as special guests at national and provincial assembly sessions. Student Council elections at the secondary level will take place in the last week of August after the summer break.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan