Following the Government notification for college elections by October 8, college and university campuses in the State have become agog with activities as the candidate selection process by the student unions is on. The filing of nomination will be held on September 30.
The student wings of BJD and Congress and organisations like AISF, SFI, ABVP and DSO are prepared for the elections. Selection of the candidates being a tough task, the parties and organizations are taking utmost care and caution to select the right ones for various educational institutions.
As per the Government notification of the Department of Higher Education, nomination paper can be filed in between 9 am and 2pm on September 30. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on the same day from 2pm to 4 pm. The publication of valid nominations, date for withdrawal of the nominations and the final list of contestants will be published on October 1. While the publication of valid nominations will be made at 11 am, withdrawal of candidatures will be held between 2 pm and 5 pm; the final list of candidates will be published at 5 pm on October 1.
The ‘Why I Stand For’ meeting will be held on October 7, while polling will be held from 8 am to 2 pm on October 8 and the results would be declared on the same date by 5 pm after counting the votes. The oath taking ceremony will be conducted on October 9, stated the notification.
The Higher Education department officials said that they had scheduled to complete the college election just before the Durga Puja to give a stress free vacation to the students. This year, elections in colleges and the universities would be held at the same time. like last year, the guidelines of lingdoh Commission would be followed very strictly this year also.
The university authorities of the premier institution of the State, Utkal University, have already declared not to hold election for this year due to repeated violence in the campus. Besides, the Ravenshaw University and the Maharishi College of Natural law (Bhubaneswar) have also postponed elections this year apprehending law and order situations. The student leaders are now focusing on the BJB Autonomous College, Rama Devi Women’s College, Rajdhani College, Kamala Nehru Women’s College, Basic Science College, Sailabala Autonomous College in Cuttack and other Government colleges in the city.
Brahmapur University and its constituent colleges like Khallikote Autonomous College, SBR Autonomous Women’s College, Binayak Acharya Government College, City College and Chatrapur Science College are prepared for the college elections.
The elections will be held in the campuses of 23 colleges of Ganjam district, sources said.
Similarly, Fakir Mohan University in Baleswar and their affiliated colleges have started campaigning in the campuses. But, the students of western Odisha colleges headed by Sambalpur\\ University may boycott the elections supporting the on-going movement demanding permanent bench of the State High Court in their region, said Western Odisha Students Union joint action committee convener Sourabh Mohapatra.
“Students of GM Autonomous College have already boycotted the elections supporting the cause and we will formally declare about the fate of elections in other colleges of Sambalpur and its neighbouring districts soon,” said Mohapatra.
The planning meetings for the upcoming elections are being held regularly by the student wings of respective political parties and organisations. Some students have also tried to attract fellow students by welcome posters.
The front gates of various universities and colleges are showing up the welcome posters in large number bearing the names of the aspirants in the ensuing elections.
Even the selected candidates have started campaign by going to the individual
classes.
“I’m confident about my win in the elections. Our candidates along with me have started campaigns in the campus. We have been motivating the students by distributing cards and best wishes as the examination is going on in the college,” said president candidate of the BJB Autonomous College Tanmay Rout.
“I will unitedly work with the students of the college to address the various problems of the college. I hope all my friends in the college will support me,” said a president candidate of Ramadevi Women’s College.
Even the candidates are using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter and are personally sending SMS to the students seeking votes.
The campuses are very cool and peaceful as the recent Government notification states that in case violence occurs in the campus pertaining to elections, then the elections of that college or university would be called off.
While the officials of various universities told that lyngdoh Commission recommendations will be strictly followed in the college elections, Higher Education Minister Badrinarayan Patra expressed hope that the elections would be peaceful. Patra has made it clear that the college authorities have been empowered to take a final call on whether to hold elections in case of any unpleasant situation.