After an eight-year gap, student union elections in Odisha were conducted on Thursday (October 15) amid widespread tensions, with the outcome of 153 colleges already announced. As reported by PTI, 1,398 candidates were elected out of 6,891 fielded. Polling was held from 8 am to 2 pm at 346 publicly owned colleges and 13 universities under heightened security, officials said. Shortly after the voting concluded, counting began, and the results for 153 colleges were declared. Utkal University and RD Women's University in Bhubaneswar were among the notable institutions where counting was still ongoing. Of 1,389 elected candidates, 756 won unanimously, while 642 were elected through contests. Vote counting at RD Women's University came to a standstill after candidates’ agents left the centre over some issues. At Utkal University, it continued until 10 pm, but the results are yet to be unveiled. After a protest by NSUI members, the university administration assured them that the outcome would be announced by midnight. ABVP leader Pratyush Ranjan Dass alleged that the RSS-backed student body had emerged victorious in 112 colleges and swept all posts in six universities. "We have also won all posts in two other universities, except the president's post," he alleged. Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) president Ipsita Sahoo claimed the student body was ahead of ABVP in some colleges. The Congress-linked NSUI, however, is yet to comment on the results. Meanwhile, BJD vice-president Sanjay Das Burma and MP Sulata Deo claimed that results in some colleges were deferred due to “pressure” from the BJP-led government in Odisha. State Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi earlier called on students to take part in the elections peacefully, saying that polls were not just a way of selecting representatives but also a foundation of Indian democracy and a means of nurturing future leaders. "The values, discipline and ideals that you practise on campus today will provide a new direction for our state and country in the days ahead. Therefore, without falling prey to any form of violence, rumours or division, participate in this election in a peaceful and orderly manner," Majhi said in a social media post. Deepali Samaniya has been covering education for the past 2 years with a passion for SEO and a knack for crafting engaging stories. She specialises in... View More