‘Ensure peaceful, fair and orderly campus elections’, says Dr Satyajit Nayak

Desk,Odishabarta

CUTTACK,06/10/26:Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Dr Satyajit Nayak has directed all Superintendents of Police under the range to ensure peaceful, free, fair and orderly conduct of Students’ Union and other student body elections in universities and degree colleges for the 2026-27 academic session.

The directions were issued following instructions from the Odisha Director General of Police, with the district police asked to take preventive and proactive measures in close coordination with university and college authorities.

 The police have been directed to ensure that the election process does not affect the academic environment or lead to any disruption on campuses.

The district police have been asked to identify sensitive and vulnerable institutions and locations and assess the local law-and-order situation before making security arrangements. Adequate deployment of personnel should be ensured at polling and counting centres and other important locations, particularly where large gatherings are expected.

Dr Nayak stressed the need for preventive action against elements likely to create disturbances and directed officers to maintain close watch over activities that could lead to violence, intimidation, group clashes or unlawful assemblies. Any violation of law, irrespective of the identity or affiliation of those involved, should be dealt with firmly and impartially, he said.

The SPs have also been asked to maintain regular coordination with Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, Principals, election authorities and other stakeholders and hold meetings in advance to assess security requirements and address potential concerns.

Emphasising police neutrality, Dr Nayak said all candidates and students should be provided a safe environment to participate in the democratic process. Arrangements should also be made for traffic management, crowd regulation and emergency response in and around major educational institutions.

“The objective is not merely to maintain law and order, but also to facilitate the peaceful exercise of democratic rights by students while ensuring that the academic environment remains undisturbed,” Dr Nayak said.

He appealed to students, candidates, student organisations and educational institutions to uphold discipline, mutual respect and democratic values and cooperate with the police and college authorities for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections.