Bhubaneswar, Oct 16: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP)-backed candidate Abhiram Mishra has been elected president of the Utkal University Students’ Union following a tense election day marked by delays in vote counting, heated exchanges among counting agents and a road blockade by NSUI supporters.

Among the other elected candidates, NSUI-backed Pappu Raut won the vice-president’s post, while ABVP’s Ayushree Pradhan was elected general secretary. Jyotishree Sahu of the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) secured the post of joint general secretary, and Uttam Kumar Majhi was elected cultural club secretary.

Jibanjyoti Biswal won the post of Bani Vikas secretary. ABVP’s Gyanaranjan Parida was elected athletic club secretary, while Susmita Sahu secured the post of assistant secretary.

68.69% voter turnout

Polling at Utkal University began at 8 am on Thursday and concluded at 2 pm without any major disruption. A total of 2,609 students cast their votes, recording a voter turnout of 68.69%.

After polling ended, ballot boxes from all polling stations were transported to the strongroom set up in the university’s Commerce Department. The process of depositing the ballot boxes was completed by 3 pm.

However, despite polling having concluded and counting agents being present, vote counting did not begin until around 6.30 pm, triggering questions from candidates over the delay.

According to reports, officials first segregated the ballot boxes before commencing the counting process. Tensions reportedly escalated at the counting centre, with agents engaging in heated arguments over the counting procedure. There were also reports of threats to set the ballot boxes on fire.

As the counting progressed, ABVP supporters gathered outside the counting centre. With their candidate reportedly leading, celebrations began around 12.30 am.

NSUI blocks National Highway over delay

The prolonged delay in announcing the results prompted NSUI supporters to stage a road blockade on the national highway near Vani Vihar in Bhubaneswar.

The protest led to a long traffic jam, with hundreds of vehicles stranded on the road. An ambulance was also reportedly caught in the congestion.

Police personnel reached the spot and attempted to persuade the protesters to clear the road, but the demonstrators initially refused to relent.

Student Congress state president Bibhuti Bhushan Mahapatra, AISU president Sanghamitra Jena, Congress leader Manoj Biswal and other leaders were present at the protest site.

The Police Commissioner and the Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) also intervened to hold discussions with the protesters and bring the situation under control.

Tensions preceded polling

The election-related tensions had begun a day earlier, on Wednesday, during the university’s “Mu Kahinki Prarthi Hoichhi?” (Why I Stand for?) meeting. A heated confrontation reportedly broke out before the programme began, with reports of head injuries and chairs being thrown.

Also read: BJD student wing sweeps Rama Devi University Elections, tensions erupt during vote counting

While polling on Thursday remained peaceful, the delay in counting and the subsequent protest turned the results announcement into a tense affair.

The election concluded with ABVP-backed Abhiram Mishra emerging as the students’ union president, while candidates backed by different student organisations secured several other key posts.