Bhubaneswar, 14 October (H.S.): The Odisha Government has established control rooms and initiated regular reviews to ensure the peaceful and smooth conduct of student union elections across colleges and universities, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said on Wednesday.

Addressing the media, the minister stressed the importance of providing proper guidance and adequate opportunities to student leaders, noting that student union elections are being held after a prolonged gap.

Congratulating candidates contesting various student union posts, Suraj said the electoral process would provide them with valuable experience and help prepare them for leadership roles in society, the state and the country.

He appealed to educational institutions, candidates and students to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully and without violence, upholding democratic values. He also urged students to exercise their franchise responsibly and maintain law and order throughout the polling process.

Polling for the student union elections will be held on October 15 from 8 am to 2 pm. Counting of votes and the declaration of results will begin at 2 pm on the same day and continue until the process is completed.

The oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected student representatives is scheduled for October 16 at 11 am. The election schedule also designates the day as a reserved day for a presidential holiday.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda