Bhubaneswar: Notification has been issued for holding Students’ Union elections in higher educational institutions under the Higher Education Department this year. A meeting was held today at Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg to ensure that the elections are held peacefully and in an orderly manner.
Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, DGP Binaytosh Mishra, Intelligence Director R.P. Koche, Higher Education Commissioner and Secretary Arvind Agarwal were present in the meeting. District Collectors and SPs of all districts joined through virtual mode.
After a long gap, it has been decided to hold Students’ Union elections in higher educational institutions this year. Chief Secretary Anu Garg directed all District Collectors and SPs to ensure peaceful and orderly elections in all districts. As per schedule, nomination of candidates is on October 9, election will be held on October 15 and results will be declared the same day. Keeping this in mind, Collectors and SPs should ensure that no violence or disorderly situation arises on campuses and should provide necessary cooperation to educational institutions.
As per the Lyngdoh Committee Report, non-students are prohibited from entering campuses and from causing undue interference and disorder during the elections. The Chief Secretary also directed all Collectors and SPs to monitor this. The meeting decided that District Collectors, SPs, ADMs and Deputy Collectors will visit all higher educational institutions in their districts and discuss with college and university authorities and students regarding the conduct of elections.
Higher Education Commissioner and Secretary Arvind Agarwal gave detailed information on the schedule and rules. He said all information related to higher educational institutions and the SOP for conduct of elections will be provided to all Collectors and SPs. He also directed to ensure that Lyngdoh Committee Report and rules of the Higher Education Department are followed.
Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, DGP Binaytosh Mishra, Intelligence Director R.P. Koche said that before nomination filing, SPs will visit institutions. From nomination to counting, declaration of results and post-election period, they will observe the atmosphere and check law and order. The meeting focused on interacting with students. Collectors and SPs have been instructed to pay special attention to institutions where student unrest had arisen during elections in previous years.
“Ensuring peace and order and maintaining the academic atmosphere of higher educational institutions is our priority,” Chief Secretary Anu Garg said, directing that elections be conducted in an orderly manner with cooperation of institutions, district administration and police.
Director of Higher Education Department Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, Joint Secretary Mousumi Nayak and other officials were present.
