Students

Bhubaneswar: Colleges across Odisha will conduct polls for students’ union representatives on October 8. This was announced by Department of Higher Education on Saturday. Students of both government and non-government colleges will cast their votes on that day while nominations will be filed on September 30.

According to an official release, colleges will notify for students' union election on September 28. Nominations can be filed between 9 am and 12 noon on September 30 and scrutiny of nominations will be done on the same day between 2pm and 4 pm.

List of valid nomination papers will be published at 11 am on October 1. Students can withdraw nomination papers if they want on the same day between 2 pm and 4 pm. Colleges will publish the final list of contestants at 5 pm on the same day, the release stated.

Candidates will seek vote in 'Why I Stand For' meeting which will be held on October 7.

It further noted, while polling will be conducted between 8 am and 2 pm on October 8, results will be declared on the same day afternoon. The elected representatives will take oath of office on the following day.

"We expect a peaceful election in colleges across Odisha. College authorities have been empowered to take a call whether to hold elections in case any unpleasant situation arises," said Badrinarayan Patra, Minister for Higher Education.

Notably, authorities of Utkal University and Ravenshaw University have already postponed the electioneering process following student unrest in the campuses.