Bhubaneswar, October 15: A warm welcome awaits students arriving to vote in the student union elections at Rama Devi Women’s University in Bhubaneswar, where female voters are being offered roses and bhog, adding a distinctive touch to the polling day.
The Rama Devi University student union elections are taking place as student polls return to campuses across Odisha after an eight-year gap. The elections have generated enthusiasm among students eager to participate in the process of choosing their representatives.
Roses and Mahaprasad Mark Polling Day
At Rama Devi Women’s University, a candidate was seen distributing roses and Mahaprasad from the Shree Jagannath Temple to female students arriving at the campus to cast their votes. The gesture has drawn attention amid the renewed activity surrounding the elections.
The university has put security arrangements in place to facilitate polling. According to reports, students must carry their identity cards and wear the prescribed uniform to enter the campus. Mobile phones are also prohibited inside the campus as part of the election-related arrangements.
Student Union Elections Return After Eight Years
The return of student union elections marks a significant development for higher educational institutions across Odisha. Regular campus elections were last held in 2017, making this year’s polls a return to a process that had remained suspended for several years.
Student union elections give students an opportunity to choose representatives who can raise campus-related concerns and communicate student demands to university authorities. Issues such as campus facilities, student welfare and safety have featured in discussions surrounding the renewed election process.
Polling Continues Until 2 PM
Voting began at around 8 AM at universities and colleges participating in the statewide elections and is scheduled to continue until 2 PM. Security has been strengthened at major campuses in Bhubaneswar, including Rama Devi Women’s University, to help ensure peaceful polling.
As students arrive to exercise their voting rights, attention remains focused on the conduct of the polls and the selection of student representatives. The return of campus elections after eight years has placed student participation and university-level representation back in the spotlight across Odisha.
