Voting from 8 AM to 2 PM, Counting from 2 PM, Results by Evening; 866 in Fray for President, Administration on High Alert with Police Cantonment in Utkal University
*Bhubaneswar, Oct 15:* The wait of thousands of students is finally over. The silence that had gripped college campuses for years was broken today at 8 AM sharp as the much-awaited Students’ Union Election 2026 officially began across Odisha.
For the first time after a long gap, *346 Degree Colleges and 13 Universities* across the state are witnessing polling simultaneously. From Bhubaneswar to Berhampur, from Rourkela to Jajpur, the campus is once again alive with democracy.
According to the notification issued by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, *polling is being held from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM*. Ballot papers and ballot boxes have been kept ready in all institutions under strict supervision of college election officers.
Immediately after polling, *counting of votes will begin from 2:00 PM onwards* and the *final results will be declared by evening today*. The oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office bearers will be held tomorrow, i.e., *16th October 2026*.
*PEACEFUL POLLING IS TOP PRIORITY: POLICE COMMISSIONER AND DCP THEMSELVES ON GROUND*
The State Administration and Police have left no stone unturned to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling. In view of past incidents of campus violence, security has been made extremely stringent.
In Utkal University, the heart of campus politics in Odisha, the scene is like a police cantonment. Heavy deployment of police forces, including armed police, has been made.
The *Police Commissioner, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack and DCP Bhubaneswar along with other senior officers* personally visited Utkal University campus this morning to review the security arrangements. CCTV surveillance, checking at entry gates, and mobile patrolling teams have been deployed.
As per instructions, all college hostels have been vacated, all unauthorized banners, posters and wall writings have been removed, and outsiders’ entry into the campus has been strictly prohibited. The Principal and staff have been directed to stay present till the counting is over.
*WHO IS CONTESTING? THE NUMBERS SPEAK OF YOUTH ENTHUSIASM*
The final list of candidates shows the massive enthusiasm among youth for leadership.
– *For the Post of President:* A total of *866 candidates* are in the fray. Out of them, *828 are from Degree Colleges and 38 from Universities*. This is the most contested post.
– *For Vice-President:* Total *716 candidates* – 679 from Colleges and 37 from Universities.
– *For General Secretary:* Total *616 candidates* – 593 from Colleges and 23 from Universities.
– Apart from this, hundreds of candidates are also contesting for Assistant General Secretary, Cultural Secretary, Sports Secretary and other Class Representative posts.
In many colleges, ABVP, NSUI, BJD’s Biju Chhatra Janata Dal and independent candidates have made it a direct triangular contest.
*WHY THIS ELECTION MATTERS*
This election is not just about selecting a President or Secretary. It is about the return of a culture of debate, discussion, dissent and leadership in Odisha’s higher education institutions.
After years of no elections, students had lost a democratic platform to raise their issues – from stipend to library, from laboratory to hostel problems. Today, that platform has returned.
At 8 AM today, when a first-year student casts his vote for the first time in his college, he is not just electing a leader – he is reclaiming his democratic right.
By evening today, Odisha will have its new young brigade of campus leaders. The real test will begin tomorrow after they take oath – will they stand for students’ issues?
*The eyes of entire Odisha are now on the campuses.*
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