Eight months after the tsunami struck the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar, the region will hold the next election to the panchayats on September 24.
The last election to the gram panchayats (other than the Gram Panchayats of Hut Bay and Netaji Nagar), panchayat samitis and the zilla parishad in Andaman and Nicobar Islands were held on September 17, 2000.
The normal duration of panchayats is five years from the date appointed for their first meeting. As such, the term of the existing gram panchayats (other than Hut Bay and Netaji Nagar), panchayat samitis and the zilla parishad is due to expire shortly.
The election will be the first election after the delimitation of constituencies of the gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zilla parishads since August 11, 2005.
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, shall also apply to these elections.
Earlier on rediff:
The tsunami, six months on: Life in Andaman and Nicobar