The process of the long overdue Free Student Union (FSU) election to be held on February 25 at Tribhuvan University (TU) kicked off on Sunday.

The election process will start as per the election calendar, TU Rector and FSU Election Central Monitoring and Coordination Committee's Coordinator, Prof Dr Sudha Tripathi shared.

The TU's affiliate and offshoots campuses across the country will now publicize the voters' name list.

As per the election calendar, the voters' list will remain open for complaints and claims until 1 pm on Tuesday and a probe will be conducted on the complaints until 5 pm followed by publication of the final name list.

On February 15, nomination letters will be distributed among the candidates. The registration of the candidates under direct and proportional systems will be held from 11 am to 3 pm on February 16.

On the same day at 5 pm, the name list of the candidates under the direct electoral system will be published whereas the next day will be offered up for claims and opposition against the candidates.

On February 17, a probe will be conducted on the claims and complaints before publication of the final list at 5 pm. On February 19, candidates will be given a final option to withdraw their candidacy by 3 pm and by 4 pm the final name list will be made public. The election itself will take place on February 25, according to Dr Tripathi.

The TU is conducting the FSU elections after eight years with provisions on 28 years age limit and mixed electoral system. Earlier, the varsity had announced elections on two separate occasions but it could not take place due to disputes among the students.

The student organizations aspiring to take part in the elections are required to register their organizations or unions at the Campus Election Committee today. RSS