Bhubaneswar: The nomination process for student union elections began across colleges and universities in Odisha Friday, marking the start of the countdown to campus polls scheduled for October 15 after an eight-year hiatus.
Candidates can submit their nomination papers from 10 am to 1 pm, followed by scrutiny from 2 pm to 4 pm. The list of valid nominations will be published by 5 pm.
Candidates can withdraw their nominations Saturday between 10 am and 1 pm. The final list of contestants will be published at 3 pm.
Direct elections will be held in 13 universities and 328 colleges, while 205 educational institutions will choose their student representatives through a selection process.
As campaigning gathers momentum, student organisations are reaching out to voters to strengthen their support ahead of the polls. The elections have drawn considerable attention as they return to campuses after a prolonged gap.
The ‘Why I Stand For’ meeting is scheduled for October 14, providing candidates an opportunity to present their views and explain their reasons for contesting.
Polling will take place October 15 from 8 am to 2 pm, with counting scheduled to begin at 2 pm. Results will be announced after the counting process. The newly elected student representatives will take their oaths the following day.
Worth mentioning, the last student union elections in Odisha colleges were held in 2017.