Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram): With reports of fresh Municipal and Panchayati Raj elections tentatively scheduled for January 2027 triggering concerns over the tenure of incumbent elected representatives, G. Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), has urged the Chief Secretary to ensure that the constitutionally prescribed terms of existing Municipal Councillors and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members are not curtailed.
In a representation submitted to the Chief Secretary, Bhasker pointed out that the last Municipal and Panchayat elections were held on March 6, 2022, and the elected representatives assumed office by the end of March that year. He maintained that they are entitled to serve their full five-year term and that any move affecting the prescribed tenure must be guided by the applicable constitutional and statutory provisions.
He has also drawn attention to the tenure of the Chairperson of the Municipal Council and the Adhyaksh of the two Zilla Parishads, who were elected in May 2026. According to Bhasker, these office-bearers are entitled to a one-year tenure under the applicable constitutional provisions, which must also be duly protected.
Stressing that the tenure of elected representatives cannot be compromised merely on account of the scheduling of fresh elections, Bhasker has called upon the Administration to ensure that the existing Municipal and PRI bodies are allowed to complete their respective prescribed terms.
He has further urged that the constitution of new bodies and any consequential appointments be undertaken only after taking due account of the tenure of the incumbent elected representatives and ensuring compliance with the applicable constitutional provisions.
