Student election awaits green signal

SUCHISMITA SAHU, OP

Bhubaneswar: Speculation over the conduct of student union elections in Odisha, which have been suspended since 2017, has intensified. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has said the appropriate time for holding the elections has not yet arrived. However, the Higher Education department has stepped up preparations for the polls. According to a senior department official, the timing of the elections depends on the decision of the state government. However, the department has to remain prepared for the electoral process.

As part of the preparations, the process of uploading data on all government colleges in the state to the website and making them operational through a dedicated portal has reached the final stage. The department is now awaiting the government’s green signal. Once the government announces the elections, the department will announce the election date as well as the schedule for filing nominations, withdrawal, scrutiny and other stages of the process. ABVP ready for student polls The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) is ready for the student union elections. The organisation has representatives on all campuses.

The Education Minister has said the government is positive about holding the elections. We are working to address basic problems in our educational institutions. Going forward, we will focus on working for the development of students. ABVP representatives will register victories in most colleges,” he said. Biswajit Patra, national executive member, ABVP: Student polls are a democratic right. Student union elections are not merely a demand but democratic rights of students.

Student representation will be restored if elections are held after nearly eight years. Through elected representatives, students will now be able to raise issues of teacher shortages, issues in hostels, fee increase and issues in textbooks in an organised manner. It will also help them develop democratic thinking and leadership and create new leaders for the future. Student representation through mere nominations or directives cannot be a complete substitute for democratic participation without elections. Therefore, holding student union elections is essential. Sanghamitra Jena, state president, AISF Youth will respond through their vote. Student union elections have remained suspended for eight years since 2017.

Now, ABVP and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal have no moral right to demand elections. The NSUI has already staged protests demanding elections and will continue its fight for the rights of students. It is unfortunate that the Education department is attempting to influence the elections without even publishing the academic calendar. If elections are held this year, the youth will respond through their vote. Bibhuti Bhushan Mahapatra, President, NSUI, Odisha