Elections to the students’ unions of both Government and non-Government colleges across the State are now scheduled to be held on October 8.
The Higher Education Department on Saturday fixed the schedule for the elections and asked all the colleges to issue notifications on September 28 to start the poll process in their institutes.
However, three premier educational institutes Utkal University, Ravenshaw University and Marharishi College of Natural law (Bhubaneswar) have already postponed elections this year apprehending law and order situations.
According to the departmental notification, candidates will file nomination papers on September 30 from 9 am to 2 pm and the scrutiny of nominations will be held on the same day between 2 pm 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 is 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 “What I stand for” meetings will be held on October 7, where the candidates will present their views over their candidatures.
The date of polls, counting and declaration of results has been fixed on October 8. Polling will continue from 8 am to 2 pm while counting and declaration of results will be completed by 5 pm.
The oath-taking ceremonies of the elected candidates will be held prior to the Puja vacation on September 9 at 11 am.
Higher Education Minister Badrinarayan Patra, who informed about the schedule of the elections, hoped that the election process would pass off peacefully.
However, Patra made it clear that the college authorities have been empowered to take a call whether to hold elections in case of any unpleasant situation.