Odisha's Higher Education Department disclosed on the evening of 12 October that roughly 6,891 candidates had entered the running for posts in student union elections scheduled for 15 October, a process that has drawn nomination disputes, protests, and seat cancellations at a number of colleges across the state.

Of the 8,785 nomination submissions drawn from 359 higher education institutions, the scrutiny process disqualified 1,216 applicants while a further 443 pulled out voluntarily, bringing the pool of those cleared to stand in the contest down to 6,891. Of the overall figure, 6,533 candidates were drawn from 346 colleges, while a further 358 came through 13 universities.

Of the 8,334 nominations forwarded to colleges, departmental figures show that 1,161 were turned away. Of the nominations submitted, 7,173 passed the validation process. Of the 6,533 candidates who advanced to the college stage, 405 had stepped aside before the field was set. Of the 451 university nominations lodged, 55 were found ineligible, leaving 396 cleared to proceed. Of the original 396 contenders, a field of 358 remains once 38 pulled out of the running.

Demonstrations at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose College in Sambalpur followed the publication of the final candidate list, with a number of students contending that their nomination papers had been rejected without proper grounds. Pressed on the matter, college officials maintained that the review process had followed pre-existing guidelines throughout.

At Nimapara Autonomous College in Puri district, demonstrations of a comparable nature broke out after a number of candidacy submissions were turned away, according to available accounts. Attendance-related requirements drew pushback from students, while administrators at the college pointed to questions of eligibility and procedure.

Demonstrations at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack centred on the barring of an independent candidate from the presidential race, with Shailabala Women's Autonomous College and Christ College, both in the same city, facing comparable grievances.

The dispute over student elections drew a political dimension when the Biju Janata Dal levelled allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party, currently in government, had sought to interfere with the voting process. Rama Devi Women's University staff have been drawn into a dispute after the BJD raised questions about a purported audio recording, calling on authorities to look into allegations that confidential student data was accessed without permission and that efforts were made to influence the outcome of the election.

The BJP, which has not accepted the allegations, raised questions about whether the recording was authentic and said the BJD was treating the matter as a political football. No independent corroboration of the recording's contents has been obtained.

Three student bodies — the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, and the National Students' Union of India — have broadened their outreach efforts, directing attention toward dormitory conditions, safety on campus, physical infrastructure, and the overall wellbeing of students.

Voting resumed on campuses after a gap stretching back to 2017, when student union ballots were halted over reported incidents of violence and interference with academic life. Polls open at 8 AM on October 15 and close at 2 PM, while the day before brings a round of 'What I Stand For' gatherings where candidates are set to take part. Those chosen in the vote are scheduled to be sworn into office on 16 October.