Port Blair, Sept. 11: The last general elections to Hut Bay and Netaji Nagar Gram Panchayats in Little Andaman were held on 14th October 2018 and the first meeting of the existing Panchayats was held on 09.11.2018. Hence, the term of present Gram Panchayats is due to expire shortly i.e. on 08.11.2023 and the new Panchayats are to be constituted before the expiry of the said date. The Election Commission for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands proposes to hold the next general elections to Hut Bay and Netaji Nagar Gram Panchayats as per the given schedule:
(i) Issue of Notification by the Administrator/ Election Commission: 15.09.2023 (Friday)
(ii) The last date for making nominations: 22.09.2023 (Friday)
(iii) The last date for the scrutiny of nominations: 23.09.2023 (Saturday)
(iv) The last date for withdrawal of candidatures: 25.09.2023 (Monday)
(v) The date on which a poll shall, if necessary, be taken: 15.10.2023(Sunday)
(vi) The date before which the elections shall be completed: 19.10.2023 (Thursday)
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 13th 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 Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect. All concerned have been requested to observe the same scrupulously.