Apropos a news item appearing in www.educationmaster.org ‘ABVP demands direct polls for student union posts’, is merit criterion necessary for student union elections?

Merit is not a criterion for participating in students union elections in any university or college in India. However, many people feel only students with good academic records should be allowed to stand for elections in the students body.

Ideally it is advisable to enforce this norm. It will prove a deterrent on unwanted elements, with no stake in education, sneaking into college and university politics masquerading as student leaders leaving genuine students unrepresented.