The government of Odisha on Tuesday asked all colleges and universities to postpone all exams from March 22 to March 24, in view of the subsequent civil elections in 109 cities.
The Department of Higher Education wrote to all vice-chancellors of public universities and directors of colleges under its jurisdiction to postpone exams under a directive from the state election commission.
Since some of the colleges, both government and aided, have been identified as polling booths, the decision of higher education will be helpful to use these college buildings as polling booths from March 22 to 24.
Apart from that, the students of the universities and colleges in urban areas are allowed to vote in the ULB elections on March 24.
Some universities in the state had issued schedules for the fifth semester exam for Plus III classes on the date of the municipal election.
Three municipal corporations and 106 municipalities and Notified Area Councils (NACs) in the state will go to the polls on March 24, and votes will be counted on March 26.
Meanwhile, state election commissioner AP Padhi conducted a preparedness assessment in two municipal companies – Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Police commissioners and other senior officials attended the meeting and assured the SEC that the model code of conduct would be followed in letter and spirit.
The Commission has now lifted all COVID-19 restrictions on the campaign, which will last until March 22.
