Sri Vijaya Puram, November 3: A proposed January 2027 election schedule has raised questions over the tenure of elected municipal and Panchayati Raj representatives in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee–ANTCC, urging the Administration to ensure that their prescribed terms are not curtailed.
In a representation to the Chief Secretary, Bhasker sought protection of the tenure of elected Municipal Councillors and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members in accordance with constitutional provisions. He argued that the timing of fresh elections and the formation of new governing bodies should take into account the legally prescribed terms of the existing representatives.
The last elections to the Municipal Council and Panchayati Raj Institutions were held on March 6, 2022. The elected representatives assumed office by the end of that month. Bhasker pointed out that these members are entitled to serve a full five-year term and that their tenure should not be shortened because of an earlier election schedule.
He also raised the issue of the tenure of the Municipal Council Chairperson and the Adhyaksh of the Zilla Parishad, both of whom were elected in May 2026. According to his representation, the two office-bearers are entitled to a one-year term under the applicable constitutional provisions.
Bhasker maintained that the prescribed tenure of elected representatives must remain protected even if the next elections take place earlier than anticipated. He urged the Chief Secretary to ensure that the Administration respects the respective terms while planning the transition to newly elected municipal and PRI bodies.
The representation also called for any process involving the constitution of new bodies and appointments to be undertaken only after considering the tenure provisions applicable to the existing elected representatives.
The issue places the timing of the proposed elections alongside the question of continuity in local self-government, with the ANTCC representative seeking clarity on how the election schedule will be aligned with the prescribed terms of elected institutions.
