Port Blair, March 30: Under the provisions contained in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Panchayats) Regulation, 1994, on the re-constitution of Panchayat Samiti, Little Andaman, a Special Meeting was scheduled by the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman for administering Oath of Allegiance and subsequent Election of Pramukh and the Up-Pramukh, Little Andaman Panchayat Samiti on 30.03.2022.
As scheduled, Shri. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS chaired the special meeting on 30/03/2022 in the Conference Hall of Panchayat Samiti Bhawan, Little Andaman during which all the newly elected members of the Panchayat Samiti, Little Andaman Tehsil were present. Oath of Allegiance was administered to all the 05 newly elected members of Panchayat Samiti, Little Andaman for the tenure (2022-2027) as provided under section 115 (1) of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Panchayats) Regulation, 1994.
After administering of Oath, the process for election to the Office of the Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Little Andaman, South Andaman was initiated as provided under section 112 (1) of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Panchayats) Regulation, 1994.
Accordingly, the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman requested to file nomination papers for the Office of the Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Little Andaman for the tenure (2022-2027).
Only one nomination paper was filed for the Office of the Pramukh for the Tenure (2022-2027) by Smt. Anita Mondal, Ramkrishnapur Constituency proposed by Shri. S. Paramanathan of Netaji Nagar Constituency as a candidate set up by BJP Party.
After scrutiny of the nomination paper, the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman accepted the nomination paper, as it was found to be in order. Ample time was given for filing of nominations and since no other candidate opted to file nomination for the Office of the Pramukh, Little Andaman, the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman declared Smt. Anita Mondal from Ramkrishnapur Constituency elected unopposed as Pramukh for Little Andaman Panchayat Samiti.
Thereafter, the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman initiated the procedure for election to the Office of the Up-Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Little Andaman, South Andaman and requested the members to file nomination papers for the Office of the Up-Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Little Andaman for the tenure (2022-2027).
Shri. S. Parmanathan, Netaji Nagar Constituency proposed by Smt. Anita Mondal of Ramkrishnapur Constituency as a candidate set up by BJP party and Smt. E. Maheshwari, Hutbay Constituency proposed by Smt. Thumpa Bairagi of Rabindra Nagar Constituency as a candidate set up by INC party presented the nomination papers before the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman for the Office of the Up-Pramukh for the Tenure (2022-2027).
After thorough scrutiny, the nomination papers were accepted and since, none of the candidates withdrew their nominations, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman informed that elections shall be conducted through Secret Ballots.
Altogether 3 members casted their franchise whereas Shri. Raja, Independent candidate from Vivekanandapur Constituency and Smt. Thumpa Bairagi from Rabindra Nagar Constituency abstained to cast their vote and signed the attendance sheet as “NOT WILLING TO VOTE”.
After counting of all the 3 polled ballot papers the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman declared Shri. S. Parmanathan from Netaji Nagar Constituency as Up-Pramukh, Little Andaman Panchayat Samiti who secured 02 votes out of 3 votes polled against Smt. E. Maheshwari, Hutbay Constituency who secured only 01 vote out of 3 votes polled.
“Certificate of Election” was handed over to Shri. S. Parmanathan and Smt. Anita Mondal who were elected as Up-Pramukh and Pramukh respectively and Oath of Office to the newly elected Pramukh and Up-Pramukh of Panchayat Samiti, Little Andaman for the term (2022-2027) were administered by the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman.
Shri. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman conveyed his gratitude for peaceful conduct of elections and congratulated all the newly elected Panchayat Samiti Members and the newly elected Pramukh and Up-Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Little Andaman for the term (2022-2027).