Students of BJB (Autonomous) College wait outside the principal’s office for a decision on the elections.Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 20: The students’ union elections have been officially cancelled at three prominent colleges – BJB (Autonomous) College, Maharishi College of Natural Law and Ekamra College – because of repeated cases of pre-poll violence in the last two-and-half months. On the other hand, after two years, Utkal University would hold elections on September 29. This decision was taken today during the PG council meeting.

Elections in these colleges would take place on September 29. Candidates are required to file their nomination papers by September 22 noon. The papers would be verified on the same day by 4pm. The list of valid nominations would be declared on September 23 and unwilling candidates can withdraw their names by 4pm. Following is a list of what is happening at major institutions.

BJB College

“We have decided not to hold elections keeping in view the interests of majority of the students and the institution. There has been disturbance involving a group of students for the last two days and there is the fear of more violence,” said Dusmanta Sahoo, principal of BJB (Autonomous) College.

Ekamra College

The college today witnessed tense moments as angry students locked the principal and staff inside their rooms for more than an hour protesting the cancellation of elections. Police had to intervene to bring the situation under control.

“We want the elections to be held at any cost. It is wrong to term minor disturbances on the campus as pre-election violence,” said Ashrumochan Singh, an aspirant.

Principal Pranati Mishra said the college had been closed till September 26. Further decision would be taken after the authorities take stock of the situation.

Maharishi College of Natural Law

The college authorities had written to the government for cancelling the elections after the staff council meeting unanimously decided not to go for it following a clash between students on July 19.

“There will be no elections this year,” said principal Madan Mohan Sahu, adding that both students and guardians are happy with the decision.

Rajdhani College

“The schedule is already out in the notice board,” said Principal Abhimanyu Bhuiyan. “We are yet to know about the candidates as many do not surface till the nomination filing day,” said Chandiprasad Mishra, a presidential candidate.

Utkal University

The university had stalled elections in 2009 following violence and last year, they were not held as a precautionary measure.

“We have decided to go ahead with campus elections. We would definitely take security measures to prevent election-related violence and hope that things would be conducted peacefully,” said P.K. Sarkar, chairman of the university’s PG council.

This decision has made the varsity students happy.

“We are overjoyed. Thanks to our vice-chancellor, we would get an opportunity to exercise our democratic rights. We hope that the elections are conducted smoothly,” said Tanmay Swain, a presidential candidate.