Odisha Chief Secretary chalks out action plan for smooth conduct of students’ union elections

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Bhubaneswar: A day after the Higher Education Department issued notification to conduct the students’ union elections this year, Chief Secretary Anu Garg today held a meeting to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully at all institutions across the state.

The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Director General of Police (DGP) Vinaytosh Mishra, and Director of Intelligence R.P. Koche.

Aravind Agrawal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department, also physically attended the meeting while District Collectors and Superintendents of Police (SPs) of all districts participated via a virtual mode.

During the meeting the Chief Secretary directed all District Collectors and SPs to ensure the smooth, peaceful, and orderly conduct of these elections in higher education institutions across all districts. She advised them to ensure that no violence or disorder arises on campuses and to provide necessary support to the educational institutions.

Additionally, in accordance with the Lyngdoh Commission report, the entry of non-students into educational campuses, as well as any undue interference or creation of disorder by them during the student union elections, has been prohibited. The Chief Secretary has directed all Collectors and SPs to keep a close watch on this matter.

It was decided at the meeting that Collectors, SPs, Additional District Magistrates (ADMs), and Sub-Collectors would visit all higher educational institutions in their respective districts and hold discussions with college and university authorities as well as students regarding student union elections and their conduct.

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The Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department presented detailed information regarding the schedule and guidelines for the student union elections during today’s meeting. He stated that all data regarding higher education institutions and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for conducting elections would be provided to all District Collectors and Superintendents of Police (SPs).

Additionally, the Secretary of Higher Education directed the Collectors and SPs to take necessary measures to ensure compliance with the Lyngdoh Commission report and the Higher Education Department’s guidelines in colleges and universities during the elections.

The Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, DGP and Director of Intelligence stated that SPs would visit the higher education institutions prior to the filing of nominations. They will monitor the entire process—from the filing of nominations to vote counting and the declaration of results—as well as the college atmosphere in the post-election period, while also assessing the law and order situation. Emphasis was placed on interacting with the students during the meeting.

Furthermore, all Collectors and SPs were instructed to make preparations for this year by paying special attention to higher education institutions that had witnessed student unrest and disorder during previous student union elections.

Ensuring law and order and maintaining the academic atmosphere of the higher education institutions is our priority. Keeping this in view, Garg has directed that student union elections be conducted in an orderly manner with the cooperation of all higher education institutions, the district administration, and the police administration.

Also Read: Know The Code Of Conduct Of Odisha Student Union Election, Who Can Contest And How Much Can Spend

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