Law Minister announces return of students' union elections in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Aug 19: State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced on Monday that Students' Union elections will be held in Odisha next year, marking the first time in nearly eight years that the elections will take place.

Harichandan made this announcement during an event in Jajpur. He explained that while the elections are typically scheduled for the first week of September each year, the transition to the new BJP-led government had delayed the process this year. He assured that colleges will be prepared for the elections, which are now set to be held next year.

"The decision has been made, and students' union elections will be conducted from next year," Harichandan stated. He emphasized that ensuring peaceful elections in colleges is the government's responsibility, and criticized the previous BJD government for its handling of the issue. Harichandan also noted that the Lyngdoh Commission's guidelines for student elections can be effectively implemented if political parties do not interfere.

It is important to note that students' union elections have not been held in Odisha since 2018 to maintain campus peace. The elections were postponed in 2018 due to Cyclone Titli, and subsequently canceled in 2019. The elections were also not conducted in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and related lockdowns.