With student union elections set to return to Odisha colleges after an eight-year gap, campuses across the state have become active. The Higher Education Department has issued detailed guidelines for the elections. Colleges will publish the notification on October 7, nominations will be filed on October 9, and polling will be held on October 15. Newly elected representatives will take oath on October 16.

No Political Party Backing

The guidelines clearly state that candidates cannot contest with the support or backing of any political party. The government has stressed that the elections should remain focused on student leadership and campus issues.

Who Can Contest?

Only regular students enrolled through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) in regular courses will be eligible. Students enrolled in self-financing courses under the PPP mode, as well as those pursuing distance education, cannot contest or vote.

For undergraduate students, the age limit has been fixed between 17 and 22 years, while postgraduate candidates must be aged 25 years or below. Candidates must have no back paper from the previous academic year and must maintain at least 75% attendance.

Students with criminal cases or previous disciplinary action by their institutions will also be ineligible.

Election Expenditure Rules

Candidates must follow the prescribed spending limit and submit details of their election expenditure within two weeks of the results. College authorities will upload the details on the HIMS portal within two days.

Candidates cannot accept financial support from political parties. Campaign expenses can only come from voluntary contributions by students.

Strict Campaign Restrictions

Candidates cannot make inflammatory, defamatory or objectionable remarks based on caste, religion or community. Offensive social media posts and fake AI-generated content are also prohibited.

Campaigning must stop 24 hours before polling. Printed posters and banners, vehicles with loudspeakers and the use of animals for campaigning are banned. Meetings will require prior permission from college authorities.

The department has urged all stakeholders to ensure peaceful elections without disrupting academic activities.

The post Odisha Student Union Elections: Key Guidelines Issued appeared first on Odisha Connect.

After a gap of nearly eight years, student union elections are set to return to colleges across Odisha, with the state government announcing the schedule ahead of the upcoming Puja vacation.

The announcement came after Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj met Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and discussed the conduct of student union elections in colleges across the state.

According to the schedule announced by the Higher Education Minister, colleges will issue notifications for the elections on October 7. Candidates will file their nominations on October 9, while polling will be held on October 15. The newly elected student union office-bearers will take oath on the morning of October 16.

The elections are being held before the Puja vacation, with the government aiming to complete the entire process within a short period.

“Today’s student leadership will become tomorrow’s leadership. We believe they will understand constitutional values and emerge as responsible leaders of tomorrow,” Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said.

Student Union Elections Were Suspended Since 2018

Student union elections in Odisha’s colleges have remained suspended since 2018, during the previous BJD government. The BJP government had promised to restore student union elections after coming to power and has now announced the schedule for conducting them.

The decision is expected to bring back an important platform for student participation and leadership in colleges across the state.

Why Will the Elections Be Completed Within 10 Days?

The Higher Education Department has decided to complete the entire election process within just 10 days. Explaining the decision, Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said that announcing elections well in advance often leads to law-and-order concerns on college campuses.

“We have decided to complete the college elections within 10 days. This will help ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly,” the minister said, while seeking cooperation from all stakeholders.

He further warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the law during the election process.

The government has also emphasised that the elections should not disrupt the academic activities of students. The Higher Education Department said the schedule has been planned keeping law and order, students’ academic interests and the smooth conduct of the elections in mind.

With the return of student union elections after an eight-year gap, colleges across Odisha are now set to witness a fresh phase of student leadership and campus-level democratic participation.

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