Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department is planning to conduct student union elections across colleges and universities on September 25 or 26, although the official notification is yet to be released.
People in the know revealed that the election notification will be issued at the institutional level on September 15 or 16, with the entire election process expected to follow Lyngdoh Commission guidelines.
Nomination filing will be open from 9 AM to 12 PM on September 17 or 18, followed by scrutiny of nomination papers between 2 PM and 4 PM on the same day. The list of eligible candidates will be published by 11 AM on September 18 or 19, and candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations between 2 PM and 4 PM. The final list of candidates will be released at 5 PM.
A “What I Stand For?” meeting will be held on college and university campuses on September 24 or 25, ahead of the election. Polling is likely to be conducted from 8 AM to 2 PM on either September 25 or 26, with vote counting to begin immediately at 2 PM. Results will be declared by the evening, and oath-taking ceremonies are scheduled for 11 AM on September 26 or 27, after which Dussehra holidays will be declared.
In a significant proposal, the department is considering raising the campaign expenditure limit from the existing ₹5,000 to either ₹10,000 or ₹20,000, citing inflation and rising campaign costs.
Strict rules will be enforced to maintain decorum during the elections. Candidates must be regular students with at least 75% attendance, free from criminal records, and not affiliated with any political party. The age limit is 15 to 22 years for UG students and up to 25 years for PG students.
The use of printed posters, loudspeakers, vehicles, animals, and public meetings on campus will remain prohibited. Institutions will allot designated spaces for campaign banners, and police assistance will be sought to ensure a peaceful election process. Authorities also have the discretion to cancel elections if disturbances are reported.
