SRI VIJAYA PURAM | OCTOBER 22, 2026 | DWEEP TULIKA | LOCAL NEWS

Shri TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), has urged the Election Commissioner for Union Territories to adopt a fair, transparent and rational mechanism for reserving seats ahead of the forthcoming municipal and Panchayat elections in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In a representation submitted to the Election Commissioner, Bhasker raised concerns over the proposed draw-of-lots system for determining reserved seats. He requested that the election history of individual municipal wards and Panchayats be considered before the reservation exercise.

Calls for consideration of past election records

According to the press release, Bhasker argued that relying exclusively on a lottery-based system may not always ensure equitable rotation among constituencies.

He pointed out that some constituencies have elected male candidates for two or more consecutive terms, yet may not receive priority for reservation under the proposed draw of lots. Other constituencies, he argued, could be selected despite having a different history of representation.

Proposes priority for constituencies with consecutive general-category terms

As part of his proposed mechanism, Bhasker has requested that wards and Panchayats where male candidates have been elected for two or more consecutive terms be given priority for reservation.

He has also proposed that constituencies which have remained in the general category for two consecutive terms should automatically be considered for reservation in the subsequent cycle.

Bhasker said the reservation mechanism should provide equitable opportunities across constituencies rather than relying solely on the outcome of a lottery.

Reservation draw scheduled ahead of local body elections

The representation comes ahead of the forthcoming reservation exercise for local body elections in the islands. According to a public notice reported by Nicobar Times on October 20, the draw of lots for North and Middle Andaman is scheduled for October 27, while the exercise for South Andaman and the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council is scheduled for October 28.

Bhasker’s suggestions are a request to the Election Commissioner. The press release does not indicate whether the proposed changes have been accepted or whether the Commission intends to modify the existing process.

Dweep Tulika News Desk

This report is based on a press release issued by ANTCC. The proposed reservation changes have not been independently confirmed as adopted policy.