Chandigarh, Sept. 2 -- As Panjab University's student council election day approaches, all eyes are on the 43,860 students, across nine city colleges, who will determine the future leadership of their colleges. The fate of 110 candidates will be decided this Wednesday. Students will choose leaders for president, vice-president, general secretary, and joint secretary positions. A total of 29 candidates are competing for the presidential post. Campaigning on the last day was dampened by morning rains and fewer students were seen on campus. DAV and GGDSD colleges did not witness any major rallies, while opposing student unions clashed at Shri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26. Despite the weather, KCSU and CSF held rallies in close time slots. In a surprising turn, the Government College for Commerce and Business Administration will not hold elections this year as 24 out of 26 candidates were disqualified due to attendance issues, leaving only two eligible for posts. As Panjab University's student elections draw near, the demand for increased timings in girls' hostel facilities across city colleges is once again gaining momentum on campus, with student parties echoing the issue. In 2018, the girls' hostels inside the PU campus were opened 24x7 following a strong student movement led by Kanupriya, the university's first-ever female president of the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC). While the hostels inside the PU campus remain open 24 hours, colleges in the city still have strict timing rules for girls' hostels, many colleges restricting the exit by 6 pm. Students say they are not allowed to leave their hostels or move around the campus after this time. They allege that these restrictions apply only to girls' hostels, raising concerns about gender equality, as boys do not face similar rules. Now, with student council elections approaching, many student parties are pushing for uniform timings for both girls and boys in city colleges and have included these demands in their manifestos. Jaspreet Kaur, a first-year BA student contesting for the post of president from Pal Phalwan Student Organisation (PPSO) at DAV college, has demanded equal hostel timings for both girls and boys. She said she is committed to gender equality and has promised uniform hostel rules in her manifesto. Echoing this view, Aaryan, a first-year BSc student contesting for the vice-president post from Hindustan Student Association (HSA) in DAV College, said, "There is no reason why hostel rules should not be the same for both genders." Gaganpreet, a third-year BA student contesting for the presidential post from United Students Front at PGGCG-42, has demanded permission for outings on gazetted holidays. In SD College, Sector 32, girls are required to return to their hostels by 7.30 pm, while the curfew time for boys is 9 pm. At PGGC-11, girls must be inside by 6.30 pm, while boys are allowed till 9 pm. PGGC-11 principal JK Sehgal said, "We did not feel such a requirement earlier. Only during election time does the issue of girls' hostel timings get highlighted. We have to also keep in mind the wishes of parents." Anita Kaushal, principal of PGGCG-42, said, "These rules are framed keeping in view the safety and security of girls and have been followed for a long time. I cannot comment on the rules in private colleges."...