Odisha Sets Up Control Rooms to Ensure Peaceful Student Union Elections

Bhubaneswar, Oct 14 (UDN): The Odisha Government has established control rooms and intensified monitoring to ensure the peaceful and smooth conduct of student union elections across colleges and universities, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said on Wednesday.

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The Higher Education Department is conducting regular reviews and coordinating arrangements to prevent disruptions during the electoral process, the minister said while speaking to the media.

Student union elections are being held again after a prolonged gap, offering students an opportunity to participate in campus democracy and develop leadership skills. Suraj congratulated the candidates contesting for various posts and expressed confidence that the experience would help them take on greater responsibilities in society and public life in the future.

Minister Appeals for Violence-Free Polls

The minister urged college and university authorities, candidates and students to ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and democratic atmosphere. He appealed to voters to exercise their franchise calmly and called on everyone to maintain discipline and law and order throughout the polling process.

The control rooms and regular reviews are aimed at facilitating coordination and addressing issues that may arise during the elections.

Polling on October 15; Results the Same Day

According to the announced schedule, polling will take place on October 15 from 8 am to 2 pm across the participating institutions.

Vote counting and the declaration of results will begin at 2 pm on the same day and continue until the counting process is completed.

The oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected student representatives is scheduled for October 16 at 11 am. The day has also been designated as a reserved day for a presidential holiday under the election schedule.

The state government has called for cooperation from students and educational institutions to ensure that the elections conclude peacefully and uphold democratic values on campuses.