Bhubaneswar, Oct. 5 (UDN): Student politics is set to return to college campuses across Odisha after an eight-year break, with the state government preparing to hold student union elections on October 15.
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The Higher Education Department is expected to issue the official election notification on October 7, setting the stage for the much-anticipated campus polls. Colleges and student organisations are preparing for the return of an electoral process that has remained suspended since 2017.
Election Schedule: Notification on October 7, Voting on October 15
According to the proposed schedule, candidates will file their nominations on October 9, followed by polling across participating campuses on October 15.
The government plans to complete the election process before the Dussehra holidays. Newly elected student representatives are scheduled to take their oath on October 16, a day after voting.
With the schedule taking shape, campuses are expected to witness a flurry of political activity, including student meetings, campaign drives and debates over campus-related issues.
Campus Democracy Returns After Eight Years
The last student union elections in Odisha were held in 2017. Since then, campus polls have remained on hold, with the previous BJD government citing campus-related concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic among the reasons for suspending the exercise.
The prolonged suspension had kept students away from the electoral process through which they traditionally elected representatives to raise academic, administrative and other campus issues.
BJP Fulfils Poll Promise
The return of student union elections also marks the fulfilment of a key promise made by the BJP during the 2024 Assembly election campaign.
The party had pledged to restore campus elections if voted to power. The proposed October schedule now signals a major step towards reviving student representation and electoral participation in colleges across the state.
Campuses Brace for Political Activity
The announcement is expected to energise student organisations and aspiring candidates as they prepare to contest the polls. The elections will provide students an opportunity to elect representatives and bring campus concerns to the forefront.
With the notification expected shortly, attention is now focused on the formal election guidelines and preparations at colleges across Odisha.
