BHUBANESWAR: The student union elections held on Thursday in Odisha were overshadowed by a series of unfortunate events, including a low voter turnout, protests regarding the delayed announcement of results, and clashes involving non-students at several universities.
In an effort to curb potential post-election violence, security measures were intensified at key campuses and sensitive locations. Berhampur University reported the lowest voter turnout among significant universities at just 9.53%. Following this, Rama Devi Women’s University in Bhubaneswar recorded a turnout of 30.27%.
Khallikote University in Ganjam had a turnout rate of 26%, while Ravenshaw University saw a participation of 47.73%. Vikram Dev University in Jeypore and Fakir Mohan University in Balasore recorded voter turnouts of 50.86% and 53.30%, respectively. Sambalpur University achieved a turnout of 54.24%.
Madhusudan Law University reported the highest voter participation at 78.87%, followed by Utkal University with 68.69%, and Maa Manikeshwari University in Kalahandi at 67.24%. Dharanidhar University and Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University followed with turnouts of 65.77% and 64.03%, respectively.
Confrontations arose at Utkal and Rama Devi Women’s universities amidst frustrations over the delayed release of election results. Members of NSUI protested in front of Utkal University’s main gate around 9:30 PM in response to the situation.
Rama Devi University also experienced unrest after the detention of Ipsita Sahoo, the BCJD state president and student, by female police officers earlier in the day. Members of ABVP accused Sahoo of attacking a fellow student and distributing cash, while BCJD members protested against what they described as police and administrative bias.
The uncertainty surrounding the results maintained high tension at both Utkal and Rama Devi Women’s universities into the evening.
In addition to the unrest at these institutions, violence was reported at several campuses in Puri and surrounding areas. At Satapada Panchayat Degree College in Puri, crude bombs were allegedly thrown on campus following a decision to shift to a selection process instead of elections. A clash between two groups of non-students occurred near Alarnath College in Brahmagiri, necessitating police intervention.
Balikuda College in Jagatsinghpur also reported unrest due to claims that a lecturer was meddling in the election process. At Patitapaban Mahavidyalaya in Keonjhar and Kendrapara College, confrontations erupted as outsiders reportedly entered the campuses.
Brief tensions were noted outside Nimapara College in Puri during the polling day, and a scuffle broke out between ABVP and BCJD candidates at Baji Rout Memorial Degree College in Dhenkanal.
The cancellation of elections at Rajendra University in Balangir just a day before the polls sparked protests from students, who questioned the decision made due to concerns about campus safety. Similarly, elections were called off at Laxminarayan (LN) College in Jharsuguda over law and order issues. In response to the situation, police presence was bolstered at major institutions, including Utkal, RD, Ravenshaw, Berhampur, and Fakir Mohan universities, to prevent any post-poll violence.
