Nupi Marup demands immediate Panchayat Polls, cites Court order
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 29 2026: All Manipur Nupi Marup has termed the delay in holding Gram Panchayat elections "undemocratic" and demanded polls be conducted immediately without fresh delimitation.

In a press release issued Monday, the women's body said the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Y Khemchand recently resolved to hold Gram Panchayat polls on October 1 after fresh delimitation, despite elections being overdue since 2022.The last Panchayat polls were held in September 2017.The Marup alleged the 2022 polls were deferred after BJP MLAs, opposed to then Chief Minister N Biren Singh, feared defeat amid internal rifts.

It added that elections to Imphal Municipal Corporation and six district municipal councils were also stalled for similar reasons.

Ex-Panchayat members, Pradhans, Up-Pradhaas and Zilla Parishads had moved the High Court of Manipur in August 2025 .

A bench of Chief Justice K Somashekar and Justice A Guneshwar Sharma directed the State to conduct local body polls within six months.

Nupi Marup expressed strong disapproval that the order has not been implemented.

The body demanded the two-tier system of Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad polls be held as scheduled earlier, without delimitation.

Meanwhile, a delegation led by secretary Sh Purnimashi Devi, president S Sorojini Devi and vice president L Sumatibala Devi submitted a memorandum to Inner Manipur MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, seeking immediate implementation of the 106th Constitution Amendment-Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 .

Nupi Marup recalled the Women's Reservation Bill was first drafted by late CPI MP Geeta Mukherjee during the UPA regime.

Comment