Odisha Student Union Election Results Declared in 153 Colleges After Eight-Year Break
Student union elections were held across Odisha on October 15, 2026, bringing campus-level electoral activity back after an eight-year gap. The polls took place at government colleges and universities across the state, with results initially declared in 153 colleges. The elections drew participation from several student organisations, including Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
According to officials, 6,891 candidates contested the elections, and 1,398 candidates had been declared elected in the reported results. Of these, 756 candidates won unopposed, while 642 secured victory after contesting against other candidates. Counting continued at some institutions amid disagreements and protests over the process.
Student Elections Return After Eight Years
The Odisha student union elections marked the return of campus polls after a gap of eight years. The previous elections were held in 2018, while subsequent polls had remained suspended amid administrative and security concerns.
The state government decided to restore the elections to give students an opportunity to choose their representatives and participate in campus-level democratic processes. Voting was conducted on October 15 from 8 am to 2 pm at 346 state-run colleges and 13 universities, according to reports.
Authorities made security arrangements at campuses and polling locations to prevent disturbances and ensure that students could vote. Students were required to show their identity cards before entering polling areas.
Student unions play a role in representing students’ concerns, raising issues related to campus facilities and academics, and communicating with college and university administrations. The return of elections has therefore drawn attention to student participation and political activity in higher education institutions across Odisha.
Results Announced in 153 Colleges
The initial results were announced in 153 colleges following the completion of voting and the start of counting. The figures reported by officials showed that 1,398 candidates had been elected from the 6,891 candidates in the contest.
Of the elected candidates, 756 were declared winners without opposition, while 642 won through contested elections. Results from other institutions were still awaited during the initial reporting period.
Counting at Utkal University in Bhubaneswar continued late into the evening, and the results had not been announced by around 10 pm, according to reports. Following protests by members of the National Students’ Union of India, the university administration reportedly assured them that the results would be declared by midnight.
At RD Women’s University in Bhubaneswar, counting was halted after candidates’ representatives left the counting centre over certain issues. The delay led to uncertainty about the final outcome at the institution.
The developments highlighted the challenges faced by election officials while completing the counting process across multiple campuses.
ABVP Claims Victory in 112 Colleges
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad claimed a strong performance in the Odisha campus elections. ABVP leader Pratyush Ranjan Dass said the organisation had won in 112 colleges and secured all posts in six universities.
The organisation also claimed victories in prominent institutions in Bhubaneswar, including BJB Autonomous College and Rajdhani College. Aryan Mohapatra was elected president of BJB Autonomous College, while Abinash Padhi secured the president’s post at Rajdhani College, according to reports.
ABVP also reported significant success at other institutions, including Gangadhar Meher University and Dharanidhar University. These figures were claims made by the organisation and should be distinguished from independently confirmed results across all institutions.
The results indicated that ABVP had a significant presence in the initial round of campus election outcomes. However, the overall picture remained subject to results from institutions where counting had not been completed or formally announced.
Biju Chhatra Janata Dal Also Reports Strong Results
The Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, the student organisation associated with the Biju Janata Dal, also reported a strong performance in several colleges and universities.
BCJD president Ipsita Sahoo claimed that the organisation was ahead of ABVP in some colleges. Reports also indicated that BCJD candidates won important positions at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack and other institutions.
The competition between ABVP and BCJD was prominent in several campuses, while independent candidates also secured positions in some colleges. At certain institutions, the outcomes reflected a varied contest rather than a single organisation dominating every campus.
The Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India also participated in the elections. During the initial reporting period, the organisation had not issued a comprehensive response to the results.
Disputes and Delays During Counting
Although polling took place under security arrangements, some institutions experienced disputes during counting. At RD Women’s University, the counting process was interrupted after representatives of candidates left the centre over disagreements.
At Utkal University, protests followed the delay in announcing results. NSUI members raised concerns over the counting process, and the administration reportedly assured them that the results would be declared by midnight.
Political leaders from the Biju Janata Dal also alleged that results at some colleges had been delayed because of pressure from the BJP-led state government. These allegations were made by political representatives and were not, in the reports cited here, established as official findings.
Police were deployed at campuses to maintain order, and security personnel responded to incidents reported during the election process. The disputes underscored the importance of transparent counting procedures and timely communication of official results.
Chief Minister Appeals for Peaceful Participation
Before the polls, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urged students to participate peacefully and avoid violence, rumours and divisive activity.
He described student elections as an opportunity to choose representatives and develop democratic values and leadership skills. The appeal came as campuses prepared for the return of elections after several years without student union polls.
The government’s decision to restore campus elections has renewed discussion about student representation and the role of student organisations in higher education. The outcome of the elections is expected to shape student leadership in colleges and universities during the coming academic period.
What Happens Next?
The election process is expected to conclude as institutions complete counting and formally announce outstanding results. Colleges and universities where counting was delayed will need to resolve procedural issues and communicate final outcomes through their official channels.
The initial results show participation by several student organisations, with ABVP claiming victories in 112 colleges and the BCJD reporting success in a number of institutions. Independent candidates also won posts at some campuses.
The return of student union elections after eight years marks a significant development in Odisha’s higher education sector. The final picture will depend on the official results released by the remaining institutions and any subsequent clarifications from the authorities.
For students, the elections provide an opportunity to elect representatives who can raise academic, administrative and campus-related concerns. The focus now remains on completing the counting process, ensuring transparency and enabling newly elected student representatives to begin their responsibilities.
