Himalayan News Service

Mahendranagar, April 21:

Over 80 per cent students today voted for a republican set-up in the country during a mini-referendum held by the students of Siddhanath Multiple Campus, Mahendranagar. The students were given three choices: Republic system, constitutional monarchy and absolute monarchy. Of the 743 voters, 610 favoured republican system, while 75 supported constitutional monarchy and 41 stood for absolute monarchy. Four per cent votes were cancelled. The campus administration, Free Student Union, student unions and journalists had monitored the referendum to ensure free and fair polling.

The mini-referendum was organised with the consent of three student unions including NSU, ANNFSU and ANNFSU (United), said Nar Bahadur Dhami, FSU chairman. The result of the polls will be released tomorrow amid a special programme. The organisers claimed that the result was a strong backing to the ongoing movement against regression. The seven student unions have called for such referendum in each and every campuses across the nation. In a similar referendum a few days ago, police had intervened and arrested many student leaders from Pashupati Multiple Campus in Kathmandu.