SRI VIJAYA PURAM | NOVEMBER 3, 2026 | DWEEP TULIKA | ANDAMAN NEWS
Shri TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), has urged the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to ensure that the prescribed tenure of elected Municipal Councillors and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members is protected, amid reports that local-body elections may tentatively be held in January 2027.
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 that the elected representatives assumed office by the end of March 2022.
On this basis, he argued that the elected members are entitled to their full five-year tenure and that their terms should not be curtailed before completion of the prescribed period.
Bhasker also raised the issue of the tenure of the present Chairperson of the Municipal Council and the Adhyaksh of the Zilla Parishad, stating that both were elected in May 2026. According to his representation, they are entitled to a one-year tenure under the applicable constitutional provisions.
He emphasised that the prescribed tenure of elected representatives should be respected irrespective of whether fresh elections are conducted earlier than anticipated.
Bhasker has requested the Chief Secretary to ensure that the tenure of all elected Municipal and PRI representatives is maintained in accordance with the applicable constitutional provisions. He has further urged that the constitution of new bodies and related appointments take place only after due consideration of the prescribed tenure.
The representation comes amid reports of a tentative January 2027 schedule for the next local-body elections. However, no official election notification or confirmed schedule has been cited in the representation.
The matter concerns the protection of the tenure of elected local representatives and the timing of the transition to newly elected bodies. The Administration's position on the representation and the applicable tenure provisions remains to be ascertained.