Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Manipur, Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, has raised serious concerns in the Lok Sabha over the prolonged delay in conducting Panchayat elections in Manipur. Through Unstarred Question No. 1486, Dr. Akoijam sought detailed clarifications from the Union Government regarding the reasons behind the delay and the measures being taken to uphold the constitutional mandate of timely local body elections.
Key Concerns Raised
In his question, Dr. Akoijam asked the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to provide:
The reasons for the delay in holding Panchayat elections in Manipur.
Steps taken by the Government to ensure that the constitutional requirement for timely elections is not violated.
The action plan to overcome challenges hindering the conduct of elections.
Government’s Response
In its official reply, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj clarified that the responsibility of conducting Panchayat elections lies primarily with the State Election Commission (SEC). It stated that the Ministry regularly advises State Governments and the SECs to adhere to constitutional timelines for holding Panchayat elections.
The Ministry noted that while the central government issues advisories and provides necessary support, law and order issues, local administrative challenges, and state-specific circumstances can sometimes delay the process.
Current Status of Panchayat Elections in Manipur
The Panchayat elections in Manipur were originally scheduled to be held in October 2022, but have since been postponed multiple times. The last elections were conducted in October 2017, and the term of the previous Panchayat bodies ended in October 2022, leading to a significant gap in the functioning of elected local self-governments.
Table: Timeline of Panchayat Elections in Manipur
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Panchayat Elections held | October 2017 |
| End of Panchayat term | October 2022 |
| Original schedule for next elections | October 2022 |
| Current status | Elections yet to be announced |
Constitutional Mandate at Stake
Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, Panchayat elections must be conducted every five years to ensure the continuity of local governance. The delay, as Dr. Akoijam highlighted, not only hampers grassroots democracy but also affects development activities routed through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
Next Steps
The Ministry reiterated its advisory role and urged the State Government and the Manipur State Election Commission to expedite preparations for the elections. Dr. Akoijam, in his statement after the session, emphasized that democratic institutions at the grassroots must not be weakened and urged all stakeholders to resolve the issues preventing timely elections.
