The Odisha government on Tuesday directed the authorities of colleges and universities to defer their examinations scheduled to be held between March 22 and March 24, 2022 in view of the elections to urban local bodies in the State.
In a letter to the Vice-Chancellors of all-state public universities, principals of all government/ non-government degree colleges, the higher education department has asked the authorities not to schedule any examinations on these dates in view of the upcoming municipal elections in the State.
Earlier, the State Election Commission, in a letter to the Higher Education department, had stated that a lot of colleges (both government and aided) have been identified to be used as polling booths for the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections to 106 municipalities/ NACs and 3 Municipal Corporations on March 24.
These buildings will be used as polling booths from March 22 to March 24. Besides, some students are also eligible in urban areas to vote in these elections.
“It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that some of the Universities in the State have issued programme for 5th Semester examination for +3 Degree Classes which clashes with the poll schedule issued by the Commission. It is further understood that the Universities have issued the programme as communicated by the Higher Education Department,” the letter read.
The Commission, in its letter, has urged the State government to defer the examinations scheduled from 22.3.2022 to 24.3.2022 so that general elections to Urban Local Bodies could be held smoothly in the State.