Ravenshaw varsity Students’ Council election from tomorrow

Cuttack: Amid the tensed situation after introducing a new model of campus elections, the Ravenshaw University is all set to hold the students' council election from tomorrow at the varsity campus.

For this the varsity has formed nine schools, from which students’ representatives or class representatives will be elected on August 22 and on the next day, election of Convener and Deputy Convener of various societies will be held. The varsity has released a detailed notification in an advertisement regarding the newly-introduced election pattern and scheme of events.

The interested candidates will be allowed to file their nominations only 10 minutes prior to the election following which their names will be written on a blackboard. Students will then write the name of the contestant they want to elect.

Instead of printed ballot paper, only white ballot paper will be used during the election.

The concerned varsity authorities will start counting of votes within 30 minutes after the voting ends. It will take around 60 to 90 minutes for the declaration of the result for one school.

Winners will then take oath on the same day and later a Presidium, or a students’ council will be set up.

Speaking to media persons, Vice-Chancellor Prof Prakash Chandra Sarangi clearly mentioned that the varsity requires peaceful atmosphere and as soon as violence is seen in the campus, elections will be cancelled.

"Those who have affiliations with various political parties are the ones who are opposing the new model of election. The objective is clear. We don’t want politically affiliated students to represent in the elections. If we see violence, we are sure to cancel the elections," said Sarangi.

Meanwhile, unhappy over the decision of the varsity authorities to conduct indirect election, members of the Biju Chatra Janata Dal in protest burnt effigy of the Vice-Chancellor outside the campus gates.

"Students' Union election is the right of every student. Ravenshaw VC's ‘Hitler’ attitude will not be tolerated. Introducing Students' Council election and debarring Students' Union election is a bad move and Chhatra BJD strictly opposes this. We will never allow this to happen. In the days to come, Ravenshaw will be closed and VC will be protested heavily," said Suman Behera, Cuttack BCJD President.