Bhubaneswar: Students’ union elections will be held in colleges across Odisha October 15 after an eight-year gap, with the official notification laying down eligibility criteria for students seeking to contest the polls.
As per the schedule issued by the Higher Education Department, colleges and universities will issue the official election notification October 7, while candidates will file their nomination papers October 9. Polling and vote counting will be held October 15, followed by the swearing-in of elected representatives October 16.
Eligibility Criteria for Candidates
According to the official notification, undergraduate (+3 degree) students between the ages of 17 and 22 years and postgraduate students up to a maximum age of 25 years as on the date of notification may contest the election.
A candidate shall not have any academic arrears in the year in which he/she contests the election. Candidates must also have a minimum classroom attendance of 75% to participate in the election.
A candidate shall have one opportunity to contest for the post of an office-bearer and two opportunities to contest for the post of an executive member.
Candidates must have no previous criminal record and must not have been tried or convicted of any criminal offence or misdemeanour. Further, they must not have been subjected to any disciplinary action by the university/college authorities, nor should any disciplinary proceeding be pending against them at the time of contesting the election.
A candidate must be a regular, full-time student of the concerned institution, admitted through SAMS in either a regular or self-financing programme. Students enrolled under distance education or public-private partnership (PPP) mode shall not be eligible to contest the election.
Students’ Union Election Schedule
- Election notification issuance: October 7
- Nomination papers filing: October 9
- Polling: October 15
- Vote counting and result declaration: October 15
- Swearing-in of elected representatives: October 16
PNN & Agencies
