Politics
Odisha to hold student union elections after 8-year gap
The Hindu··1d ago
The Odisha government announced student union elections on higher education campuses after a gap of eight years. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved the polls, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said. Colleges were to notify on October 7, take nominations on October 9 and hold voting on October 15. Oath-taking was set for October 16 morning, before Dussehra.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Students on Odisha higher education campuses regain union polls after the suspension since 2017.
- Colleges decide notifications under Supreme Court guidelines if strength is low or conditions are not conducive.
- The compressed 10-day calendar was chosen to limit campus law-and-order issues, the minister said.
What's Happening
- Suryabanshi Suraj said a final decision was taken to hold elections before the Dussehra holidays.
- He said the department would soon provide the detailed timeline and complete information.
- He urged political parties to act responsibly so college elections stay orderly.
Why The Polls Returned Now
- Student union elections had been suspended since 2017 under earlier campus security concerns.
- The ruling side had promised in its election manifesto that the polls would be conducted.
- After forming government in 2024, the minister said 2025 was spent addressing campus issues before moving in 2026.
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