Bhubaneswar: The higher education department has directed educational institutions to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to campus violence as the state prepares to hold student union elections on Oct 15, with strict curbs on outsiders, processions and provocative campaigning.Institutions were on Tuesday asked to take all necessary measures to ensure discipline during the election process and comply strictly with the prescribed guidelines. The department asked institutions to constitute election committees, make arrangements for ballot papers and ballot boxes and ensure strict compliance with the prescribed rules. Each institution will also constitute a grievance redressal committee headed by the dean (student welfare) or teacher-in-charge of student affairs, with representation from faculty, administration and final year students.In a review meeting with all the higher education institutions (HEIs) chaired by higher education commissioner-cum-secretary Aravind Agrawal, the department specifically barred outsiders and non-students from participating in the election process. Processions and public meetings on campuses will require prior written permission from the authorities, while institutions have been asked to monitor activities that could disrupt the polls.The restrictions assume significance as the last student union elections in the state in 2017 were marked by violence on several campuses. Polls were cancelled in institutions, including Utkal University and BJB Autonomous College, following incidents of violence, while other campuses also witnessed clashes and unrest during the election process.The department has also imposed restrictions on campaign content, including on social and digital media. Candidates cannot use abusive or indecent language, while false, misleading, manipulated or AI-generated fake content has been prohibited.Campaigning will be allowed only within the prescribed norms, with candidates permitted to use handmade posters. The use of processions and public meetings will require prior approval from college authorities.The department has prescribed a 24-hour campaign silence period before polling, with campaigning prohibited from 2 pm on Oct 14 to 2 pm on Oct 15. The department informed that election-related information, including nomination details, final candidate lists, withdrawals and certificates of elected candidates, will be uploaded on the higher education department’s HIMS portal.The elections will be conducted in accordance with the Lyngdoh Commission recommendations and the rules framed by the department.