Bhubaneswar: As most colleges and varsities of the state get set for the much-awaited Students' union elections, some other campuses remain under the clouds over incidences of poll related violence. However, irrespective of disturbances, the process of nominations for elections will kick off tomorrow.
While some colleges have already declared polls cancelled over tension, many others have stuck to their decision of going ahead on schedule.
Sources said, despite bomb hurling on the campus and Ladies Hostel Thursday night, elections will be held in BJB College in Bhubaneswar, according to sources.
As most girls vacated the hostel after the incident, the agitating students closed a gate of the college as a mark of protest demanding proper security measures today morning. A platoon force was deployed to maintain law and order on the campus.
"One bomb was hurled in the evening. Other two explosions took place when we were having dinner. We are really afraid of this. Its election for some, but certainly our studies are getting hampered," said a student of BJB college.
Although elections were cancelled last year due to pre-poll violence, the decision of the authorities this year remained unchanged by such incident.
Meanwhile, in Ramadevi Women's University, aspiring candidates were seen campaigning along with their supporters braving heat and rain too.
Tagged as one the sensitive varsities of the state, Utkal University too has taken necessary steps for smooth conduct of the elections. Apart from imposing restrictions on the outsiders, the varsity has been asked to install CCTVs in several places of the campus, along with making identity cards mandatory. The decision was made at a meeting here constituting varsity authorities and Bhubaneswar DCP.
Also Read: Students’ union polls in Odisha on Sept 23
It may be mentioned here that as many as six colleges in the Capital city had cancelled Students' Union elections last year due to violence. The colleges include BJB, Maharshi, Rajdhani, Debaray, Ekamra and Capital Law College. However, elections will be held this year in all these colleges, sources said.
Meanwhile, sine die was declared at Vyasanagar Autonomous College in Jajpur after two groups clashed on the campus this morning which eventually led to ransacking of property by one of the groups.
As far as schedule of elections is concerned, the aspiring candidates can file their nominations on September 16 from 9 AM to 12 noon, the last date of withdrawal of nomination is September 18, between 2 PM and 4 PM.
After the withdrawal, the final list of contestants will be announced at 5 PM on the same day.
“Why I stand for?” meeting will be held on September 22, a day before the polling. The election results will be declared on September 23.
The elected student leaders will take oath on September 25.
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