The Students’ Union polls ended peacefully in different colleges in the city on Monday. The elected candidates were in a celebration mood. They would participate in oath-taking ceremonies to be held on Tuesday.

The supporters of different candidates contesting in the poll were waiting for the result of their leaders after casting their votes from 8 am to 2 pm on Monday. The result was declared at the afternoon on the same day after counting of votes. Earlier when polling started, supporters of the contestants were standing outside their respective college entrances to persuade their friends to cast their votes in favour of their leaders.

One of the most significant changes of this year was Utkal University as elections ended peacefully. The university witnessed the polls after two years. Even the Maharishi College of Natural law went for polls after a year’s ban following violence in the campus last year. 

According to the poll results, Rajesh Raj Swain was elected as president of Students Union of the Utkal University, while Suryakant Sahu became general secretary of the union. In Rama Devi Women’s College, Swastipriya Dasnayak was elected as president and Sradhanjali Mohanty as general secretary.

“I’m very happy after winning the election. It became possible due to my friends in the university,” said Rajesh Raj Swain backed by the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, student wing of the ruling BJD.

While the BJP backed Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won the president’s post in the students’ union elections of the University law College held in the city.