World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
Calicut University seeks legal advice on order to add scholars to voter lists
The Kerala High Court ordered Calicut University to include research scholars in voter lists for upcoming student union elections.
The order followed a petition by scholars who challenged the university’s plan to create a separate union for researchers across its colleges and centres.
They also argued that the university could not interfere in election processes at affiliated colleges.
College election voter lists were already published and the nomination deadline had passed, while voting on the university’s main campus was scheduled for a later date.
Adding scholars could mean revising the college polling dates if they want to stand as candidates.
University authorities are seeking legal advice on how to carry out the order and have asked for more clarity.
The University of Calicut is seeking legal advice on an interim Kerala High Court order to add research scholars to voter lists for upcoming students’ union elections.
The order, issued on October 7, followed a petition by research scholars who opposed the university’s plan for a separate research scholars’ union.
The scholars argued that court orders said the university could not interfere in elections at affiliated colleges.
The affiliated-college election was scheduled for October 15, and the main-campus poll for October 28.
The voter list at affiliated colleges had already been published and the nomination deadline had passed, so the polling dates may need to change.
- Who
- The University of Calicut and a section of research scholars.
- What
- The university is seeking legal advice on an interim order directing it to include research scholars in voter lists for upcoming students’ union elections.
- When
- The Kerala High Court issued the order on October 7, 2026. The university was reportedly seeking legal opinion by October 8.
- Where
- The University of Calicut, its affiliated colleges, and university departments and centres in Kerala.
- Why
- Research scholars challenged the university’s decision to create a separate research scholars’ union and sought inclusion in existing election voter lists.
Research scholars who petitioned
University of Calicut authorities
Election representation
Research scholars who petitioned
Scholars sought inclusion in voter lists for affiliated colleges and university departments and centres.
University of Calicut authorities
The university had decided to create a separate research scholars’ union covering scholars across affiliated colleges and research centres.
University’s role in elections
Research scholars who petitioned
Scholars cited court orders saying the university had no right to interfere in affiliated-college election processes.
University of Calicut authorities
The university was seeking legal clarity on how to implement the High Court order.
The Kerala High Court issued an interim order asking the university to include research scholars in voter lists.
The university was reportedly seeking legal advice on implementing the order.
Elections at affiliated colleges were scheduled to take place.
The students’ union poll on the university’s main campus was scheduled to take place.
- Court order
- Interim order issued October 7, 2026
- Affiliated-college election
- Scheduled for October 15
- Main-campus election
- Scheduled for October 28
- Petitioners
- A section of research scholars
- Proposed separate body
- Calicut University Research Scholars’ Union