Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Odisha Orders Campus Visits Ahead of Student Union Elections
Odisha is preparing for student union elections after an eight-year break.
The elections are planned for October 15, and students can file nominations starting October 9.
The results are expected on the same day as voting.
The state has asked district officials and police leaders to visit colleges and universities.
They will speak with students and school leaders and check election preparations.
Police will watch campuses throughout the election period.
Officials have been told to prevent violence and stop outsiders from interfering.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg said that keeping campuses peaceful and supporting a healthy learning environment is a priority.
Odisha directed district collectors and police chiefs to visit state-run colleges and universities ahead of student union elections.
The elections are scheduled for October 15, with nominations beginning October 9 and results due on polling day.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg told officials to prevent violence and maintain order throughout the election period.
Police will monitor campuses from nominations through polling, counting, results and the post-election period.
Officials were told to prevent outsiders from interfering and focus on institutions with past election-related unrest.
- Who
- The Odisha government, district collectors, police chiefs, other district officers, and students at state-run colleges and universities.
- What
- Officials were directed to visit campuses and help ensure peaceful student union elections.
- When
- The formal notification was issued on Wednesday; nominations are scheduled to begin October 9, with polling and results on October 15.
- Where
- Government-run colleges and universities in Odisha.
- Why
- To prevent violence and disruption, maintain campus order, and support a healthy academic environment.
Election security
Political participation
Campus controls
Election security
Officials were instructed to prevent violence, disorder and interference by outsiders, with monitoring guided by Lyngdoh Commission recommendations and Higher Education department rules.
Political participation
Student leaders associated with BJP, BJD and Congress were organizing and seeking nominations for campus posts such as president and general secretary.
- Election gap
- The student union elections are being held after an eight-year gap.
- Nomination filing
- Scheduled to begin October 9.
- Polling
- Scheduled for October 15.
- Results
- To be declared on polling day.
- Direction issued by
- Chief Secretary Anu Garg, at a meeting reviewing election preparations.
- Campus visits
- Collectors, Superintendents of Police, additional district magistrates and sub-collectors are to visit higher educational institutions.
- Monitoring period
- Police monitoring is to cover nominations, polling, counting, results and the post-election period.
- Political parties mentioned
- BJP, BJD and Congress.
