Tarun Karthick
Vellore, 28 January 2022
Election Commission, Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 28th January 2022 declared the schedule for general elections to Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishads and Port Blair Municipal Council. The date of polls has been declared on 6th of March 2022.
The people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands had to wait for a long time to elect their public representatives and there was resentment because the election had been delayed.
With the announcement of the dates for Issue of Notification, last date of making nominations, the date of scrutiny of nominations, last date of withdrawal of candidature, the date of poll, the date of counting of votes and the date before which the elections shall be completed, the model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect.
The Press Note issued by the Election Commission of India lists the schedule of the General Election to Gram Panchayats (Except Gram Panchayat Netaji Nagar and Hut Bay), all Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishad – South Andaman, Zilla Parishad – N & M Andaman and Port Blair Municipal Councils as given below:
| a) | 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 and Middle Andaman and Port Blair Municipal Council by the Administrator. | 04.02.2022 (Friday) |
| b) | 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 and Middle Andaman and Port Blair Municipal Council by the Election Commission. | 04.02.2022 (Friday) |
| c) | The last date for making nominations | 11.02.2022 (Friday) |
| d) | The date for the scrutiny of nominations | 12.02.2022 (Saturday) |
| e) | The last date for withdrawal of candidature | 14.02.2022 (Monday) |
| f) | The date on which a poll shall, if necessary, be taken | 06.03.2022 (Sunday) |
| g) | The date of counting of votes | 08.03.2022 (Tuesday) |
| h) | The dates before which the elections shall be completed | 11.03.2022 (Friday) |
The press note also states that the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of Political Parties and Candidates in Elections to Panchayats and Municipalities in 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.
The press note also mentions that after the onset of COVID-19, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and 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 the conduct of elections. These guidelines shall also be observed scrupulously, during the General Election.
The duration of the polls has also been increased by two hours to ensure complete compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines and social distancing norms to ensue public safety.
All the concerned people have been requested to observe the Model Code of Conduct scrupulously.