Odisha Student Union Elections Return After Eight Years

Out of 8325 Nomination Papers, 7169 Declared Valid

CNB WORLD TIMES

Odisha: Student union elections are returning to colleges and universities across Odisha after an eight-year gap. The announcement has brought excitement to campuses, with student organisations organising rallies and processions to demonstrate their strength.

The elections are scheduled to be held on October 15. The nomination process was completed on Friday, and educational institutions published the lists of valid candidates after scrutiny. Candidates can withdraw their nominations between 10 am and 1 pm on Saturday. The final list of candidates will be published later in the day.

According to the Higher Education Department, student union elections will be held in 348 colleges. A total of 8,325 nomination papers were submitted in colleges. Of these, 1,156 were rejected, while 7,169 were declared valid, according to the initial figures provided. However, other reported figures put the number of rejected nominations at 1,175 and valid nominations at 7,168. The department's final figures are awaited.

At the college level, 1,620 candidates have reportedly been elected unopposed, while 33 candidates have secured unopposed victories at the university level. The valid nominations include 1,149 candidates for president, 758 for general secretary, 869 for vice-president and 46 for assistant secretary.

Student organisations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and All India Students' Federation (AISF), have fielded candidates in several colleges and universities. Candidates arrived at campuses with supporters, raising slogans and carrying flags. Traditional drums, music and processions marked the nomination day.

Hundreds of candidates submitted their nomination papers at prominent institutions, including Utkal University, Rama Devi Women's University and Ravenshaw University. Student organisations also mobilised supporters across more than 300 colleges and several universities in the state.

ABVP national executive council member Biswajit Patra said the organisation was reaching out to students with an agenda focused on campus development and restoring students' voices. He said students' voices had been suppressed in recent years and the organisation wanted to restore them.

AISF state president Sanghamitra Jena said the organisation was raising issues such as social security, free bus services, quality education, regularisation of staff and timely recruitment to vacant teaching posts in colleges and universities.

The election campaign is expected to focus on students' concerns, including campus infrastructure, security, coaching-related issues and the entry of outsiders into educational institutions. Eligibility criteria for candidates and the presence of non-students on campuses have also raised concerns in some places.

The next major event will be the “Why I Stand For” meeting on October 14. During these meetings, candidates will present their views, explain their priorities and seek support from fellow students. The event is expected to provide an opportunity for candidates to discuss campus issues directly with voters.

Voting will take place on October 15, from 8 am to 2 pm. The results will be declared on the same day. The oath-taking ceremony for the elected student representatives is scheduled for October 16 at 11 am.

The Odisha Higher Education Department is monitoring the election process through a state control room under the guidance of department secretary Aurobinda Agrawal. The department is overseeing arrangements to ensure that the elections are conducted fairly, peacefully and in an orderly manner.