Campus safety, failing infrastructure and basic amenities have emerged as the dominant issues in Odisha’s student union election campaign, with candidates across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack raising concerns about dark roads, leaking classrooms, poor hostel food, waterlogging and unsafe access routes ahead of polling on October 15.
Campaigning began across colleges and universities after nominations were filed on Friday. Candidates affiliated with AIDSO, NSUI, ABVP and BCJD, along with independent aspirants, have been seeking votes by promising to address problems that students encounter in their daily use of campuses.
At Utkal University, safety and infrastructure have become central campaign themes. Presidential aspirant Surya Narayan Nayak said the large campus had porous boundaries and inadequate security, particularly raising concerns about the safety of women students. He also pointed to the unlit road leading to the library, which remains open until 8.30 pm, and leaking ceilings in several classrooms. Presidential aspirant Abhiram Mishra has also flagged campus security concerns.
Other candidates at the university have focused on residential facilities. Sonam Panda, who is contesting for the joint general secretary’s post, has raised concerns about the quality of food served in hostels. At Rama Devi Women’s University, presidential aspirant Sonali Behera has made a foot overbridge a campaign issue, saying it is needed to protect students who regularly cross the busy road outside the campus.
The concerns vary across other institutions but point to similar gaps in campus upkeep and access. Candidates at BJB Autonomous College, Rajdhani College and Kamala Nehru Women’s College have called for improved classrooms and laboratories, cleaner surroundings, safer campuses and stronger coordination between students and college authorities.
At Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, aspirants have raised waterlogging during the monsoon as a major concern. Candidate Abhimanyu Nayak said large parts of the campus become inundated during rain, affecting the movement of students, teachers and other staff. Campaign issues there also include vacant teaching posts, inadequate high-speed internet, a shortage of dustbins and problems related to examinations.
At Shailabala Women’s College, the condition of hostels, roads leading to residential facilities and campus sanitation has featured in the campaign. Candidates at Christ College have drawn attention to non-functional fans, the absence of air-conditioning in classrooms and dilapidated toilets.
According to the higher education department, 8,325 nomination forms were filed across 348 participating institutions. A total of 1,156 nominations were rejected, leaving 7,169 candidates in the contest. At the university level, 33 candidates were elected unopposed.
Polling is scheduled from 8 am to 2 pm on October 15. Counting and declaration of results will take place on the same day, while elected representatives are scheduled to take oath on October 16.
