According to Ganga Bahadur Thapa, chief of the Student Welfare and Sports Council (SWSC) at the Tribhuvan University (TU), the council is holding discussions with all major student unions on issuing the code of conducts in order to put moral pressure on the unions to behave in an appropriate manner during the FSU. "The draft of the code of conduct is in the final stage," said Thapa. [break]
As per the code of conduct, the student unions should not paint graffiti or put up posters on public walls but are free to distribute pamphlets and election manifestos.
"Unlike in the past, the plan this year is to create a common forum at each constituent campus of the TU and ask the student unions to present their agenda directly before the students," he said.
He also said that all the constituent colleges of the TU will set up a committee for effective implementation of the code of conduct.
A seven-member committee with representatives from 13 major student unions had suggested the code of conduct for the election a year ago.
"In the past, when the FSU election drew near, the classes in the constituent campuses got hampered," said Nawaraj Poudel, vice-chairman of All Nepal National Free Students´ Union (ANNFSU). "But now, the student unions are trying to conduct the election campaign without hampering the classes."
"We want to make the FSU election campaign free, fair and less costly. The code of conduct also aims to curb hooliganism during the FSU election," said Thapa.
Whenever election or convention of any political parties draws near, cadres of political parties take to street, paint graffiti and stick posters on the walls, tarnishing the beauty of a place.
The walls at major places around the city are painted with political slogans and posters are glued to walls and electric poles.
But political parties and student unions never bother to clean the walls after the elections are over. As a result, many graffiti and posters continue to be seen on the city walls for years.
The leaders of student unions hope that effective implementation of the code of conduct during FSU election would send a message to the political parties to follow suit during the CA election.
"Political parties have always used the street walls during elections. But I think they should also follow the practice of presenting agendas and hold debates before the public. It can pave the way for healthily competition and may even foster cooperation among parties," added Poudel.
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Nawaraj Poudel
Vice Chairman, All Nepal National Free Students´ Union (ANNFSU)
Will your union strictly follow the code of conduct?
The idea of issuing code of conduct was floated by student unions themselves. Since this code of conduct is a result of our joint efforts, we will definitely follow it.
How do you see the practice of using graffiti and posters on public walls?
Street walls have always been an easy medium for disseminating political messages. But it is an unhealthy practice. Painting walls and printing pamphlets and posters during the elections lead to excessive waste of money. It may force political parties to engage in corruption to meet the expenses. We should discourage it.
What alternatives do student unions have for publicity?
All student unions should jointly seek alternatives. We could use social networking sites like facebook and twitter, but the fact is these alternatives are not sufficient as many students still do not have access to internet service. But we can choose other constructive ways.
Manoj Mani Acharya
Vice President, Nepal Student Union (NSU)
Do you approve of using graffiti on public walls to disseminate political messages?
I think graffiti on public walls is a good medium to disseminate our agenda. But there is a lack of regulation and the parties rampantly paint walls. Due to this, the graffiti on walls during elections may create illusionary environment among people. It may keep people from understanding the real situation. Apart from this, it also tarnishes the beauty of the city and encourages unfair competition.
Why isn´t your union choosing other alternatives?
In the FSU election, all student unions should make use of social networking sites. For the upcoming election, we are also making use of email, internet for campaigning. Unlike past, we will take part in the election in friendly manner.
Ramesh Malla
Vice Chairman, All Nepal National Independent Students Union- Revolutionary (ANNISU-R)
What do you think of using graffiti and posters on public walls?
Along with political parties, all the student wings use graffiti. I do not say wall painting should not been done but there should be proper code of ethnics to regulate the practice. The political parties paint walls but do not give a second thought to clean them. It projects how indecent we are.
Is your union choosing other alternatives?
In the election, we are not going to confine our agenda to the walls, pamphlets and posters. This time we are preparing to go among students of the campus, hold discussions and leave them to decide who can better facilitate them. This will set a foundation for healthy practice during elections.
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