Sambalpur University students on their way to file their nomination papers on Tuesday. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, Sept. 13: Elections to various posts of the Sambalpur University students’ union will be held on September 22 and the process began today with aspiring contestants filing their nomination papers.

“The last date of issuing nomination forms was September 12,” said S.K. Acharya, PG council chairman of Sambalpur University.

“The scrutiny of the nomination papers will be carried out on September 15 and the last date to withdraw papers is September 16,” said Acharya.

“Seventy-eight nomination forms were issued to 24 students of the university. We have made arrangements for the election. We have informed the election date to the superintendent of police and the district administration,” he said.

“The deputy superintendent of police will be in charge of security during the election. Two constables will be deployed in every booth. More than one platoon police will keep vigil on the university campus on the day of the election. We have also asked the higher authorities for a patrolling vehicle,” said D.R. Gartia, in-charge of Jotivihar police outpost.

Students are eagerly waiting to participate in the polling process. “We have a very calm atmosphere here. Pushing cards and flex are not allowed in the election here. This makes the election at Sambalpur University different from those at other institutions,” said Sauvanik Hui, a first year physics student at Sambalpur University.

“We will have to contact the students individually. It is very difficult to talk to all of them. However, aspiring candidates are allowed to make speeches in classrooms,” said Punyamurti Kristodas, an aspirant candidate for the post of the union president.

“However, we will distribute handwritten cards,” he said.

After counting is completed on September 22, the results will be declared on the same day. The winner will take oath on September 23.