With Odisha set to hold student union elections after an eight-year gap, higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the govt was committed to restoring a democratic platform for students while ensuring that campuses remained free from violence and excessive political influence. Excerpts from an interview with Ashok Pradhan:How did the govt decide this was the right time to hold student union elections?Reviving student union elections was one of our manifesto commitments. However, when the govt took office in 2024, it had to address several legacy issues. Many state universities were functioning without regular vice-chancellors, while the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act, 2020, was under challenge in Supreme Court. The assembly amended the Act in April 2025, helping resolve the legal and administrative uncertainties. This year, we believe the system is fully prepared.Will parts of the election process be digitised?Much of university administration has already been digitised through the Higher Education Management System (HIMS), and the election process will also be integrated into it. Candidates will have to register on the HIMS portal. Digitised student data available through the Student Academic Management System will help identify eligible voters and candidates. Nomination filing, scrutiny and publication of valid nominations will be conducted online. Guidelines have also been issued for campaigning on social media, which will be closely monitored.Are colleges and universities prepared?We deliberately avoided announcing the elections too far in advance because a prolonged election period can affect the academic atmosphere. Once elections are announced, campus dynamics naturally change. The schedule has been designed to ensure that the process does not disrupt academic activities. The time available to institutions is in line with established norms and past practice.How will the govt prevent violence and politicisation?The elections will be conducted strictly in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines. Authorities will maintain strict oversight over campaign expenditure and the use of banners and posters. The entry of outsiders into campuses will be prohibited, and police assistance will be taken wherever necessary. The expenditure limit for each candidate has been fixed at Rs 5,000. Candidates must submit detailed accounts through the HIMS portal within two weeks of the election. Political party slogans and hate speech will not be permitted. All banners and posters must be removed within 48 hours of the conclusion of the election process. Failure to do so will attract a penalty of Rs 1,500 per banner.How will political interference be checked?Political parties must recognise that these are student elections. The focus should remain on students and campus concerns, while sensitising young people to democratic processes and leadership.What assurance can you give parents concerned about academics?The entire process has been designed to conclude within two weeks. The short campaign period will limit disruption to academic activities and reduce the chances of violence.What are the govt’s other priorities?The govt is filling 1,435 teaching and non-teaching posts in universities, while the Odisha Public Service Commission will recruit more than 300 college teachers. Improving employability through skill development, internships and the Free KG-to-PG programme is another priority.