BHUBANESWAR: Students’ Union polls will not be held in 35 colleges and five major universities in the state due to violence and other reasons. In the rest of the colleges and universities, campaigning gained momentum for the October 11 elections.Authorities of Utkal University, Ravenshaw University and North Orissa University cancelled the elections fearing violence in the campus, while Sambalpur University and Berhampur University cancelled the polls after witnessing unrest in the institutions. These are the important universities of the state.Out of the 35 colleges, 19 colleges were closed sine die due to student unrest in its campuses. Authorities of 11 colleges have decided not to hold election this year citing various reasons like violence. Anchalika Kissan College, Bheden, cancelled nominations of the candidates due to unrest. UGS Mahavidyalaya at Sakhigopal cancelled the election due to invalid nomination. Three other colleges did not get nominations for any posts, official sources said.“We had issued notification on October 1 to hold election. Even the process of filing of nomination ended peacefully. But a candidate staged demonstration after his nomination was rejected. His supporters created hue and cry and did not listen to anybody. Finally, we decided on Friday to cancel the polls to bring the situation under control,” said Rajendra Prasad Das, vice chancellor of Berhampur University.Apart from this, other universities and colleges are geared up for the October 11 election. Candidates have intensified their campaigning across campuses in the state. They offer free lunches including Biriyani, chocolates and ice-creams to woo their voters.Ramadevi Women’s University in the capital is in the focus of the student organisations after cancellation of elections in Utkal University. Candidates were busy in home campaigning and social media campaigning.Ipsita Tripathy, president candidate of RD Women’s University, said they have started campaigns in the campus by personally meeting each and every student. “We also visit the students at hostels and engage in home campaigning by visiting houses of students,” she added.Soumitri Batsal Das, president candidate for BJB Autonomous College students’ union, said they use social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for campaigning. “Our friends are very active in coordinating students through WhatsApp. We are hopeful for a positive result,” he added.Campaigning was also seen in Maharishi College of Natural Law, Ekamra College and Capital Law College in the city. The front side of the colleges and universities are filled with posters of candidates.

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