Port Blair, Jan 28: The Election Commission, Andaman & Nicobar Islands today announced that the general elections to Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishads and the Port Blair Municipal Council will be held on 6th March 2022. The date of counting of votes has been decided as 8th March 2022.
In a notification issued, the Election Commission stated, “Last general elections to Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishads and Port Blair Municipal Council in the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands were held in September, 2015. The duration of five years of these PRIS and Urban Local Body from the date appointed for their first meeting has already expired. Due to spread of pandemic of COVID-19 and other compelling reasons during 2020-21 general elections to these local bodies were postponed”.
“Rule 29 of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Panchayats) (Preparation of Electoral Rolls and Conduct of Election Rule 1995 States that ‘a general election shall be held for the purpose of constituting a new Panchayat on the expiration or its dissolution’.
“Rule 18 of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Municipal) (Preparation of Electoral Rolls and Conduct of Elections) Rules, 1995 states that 'a genera general election shall be held for the purpose of constituting a new Municipal Council on the expiration of its duration or on its dissolution.
“Keeping in view the above legal provisions, the Election Commission, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, intends to hold the next General Elections to all Gram Panchayats (except Gram Panchayal Netaji Nagar and Hut Bay), all Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishad – South Andaman, Zilla Parishad-North & Middle Andaman and Port Blair Municipal Council, in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as per the schedule given below:-
“Issue of notifications for general elections to all Gram Panchayats (except Gram Panchayat Netaji Nagar and Hut Bay), all Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishad-South Andaman, Zilla Parishad-North & Middle Andaman and Port Blair Municipal Council by the Administrator: 04.02.2022 (Friday)
“Issue or notifications for general elections to all Gram Panchayats (except Gram Panchayat Netaji Nagar and Hut Bay), all Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishad – South Andaman, Zilla Parishad – North & Middle Andaman and Port Blair Municipal Council by the Election Commission: 04.02.2022 (Friday)”
The last date for making nominations: 11.02.2022 (Friday)
The last date for scrutiny of nominations: 12.02.2022 (Saturday)
The last date for the withdrawal of candidatures: 14.02.2022 (Monday)
The date, on which a poll shall, if necessary, be taken: 06.03.2022 (Sunday)
The date of counting of votes: 08.03.2022 (Tuesday)
The date before which the elections shall be completed: 11.03.2022.
The provisions of the Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of Political Parties and Candidates in Elections to Panchayats and Municipalities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Issued by the Election Commission, Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 1 October, 1999 and subsequent instructions issued by it on the subject from time to time, shall apply to these elections. Further, instructions issued by the Election Commission of India on Model Code of Conduct from time to time shall also be followed.
After the onset of COVID-19, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, have issued guidelines/SOPs from time to time. These guidelines/SOPs shall be observed scrupulously during these General Elections. Further, Election Commission, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has also issued broad guidelines separately based on the Election Commission of India's guidelines and Standing Committee of All India State Election Commissioners' recommendations for conduct of General Elections/Bye-Elections during the period of COVID-19 with respect to conduct of elections. These guidelines shall also be observed scrupulously during these General Elections.
The Commission has also decided to increase the duration of polls by two hours so as to ensure complete compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines and social distancing norms to ensure public safety.
The Model Code of Conduct comes into force with immediate effect. All concerned have been requested to observe the Model Code of Conduct scrupulously.