Issue poll notifications: Cong to SEC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2025: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has called upon the State Election Commission (SEC) to immediately issue a notification for fresh elections to the Gram Panchayat, Autonomous District Council, and Urban Local Bodies to uphold the Constitution and democratic principles.

Addressing media persons at Congress Bhavan, BT Road today, MPCC spokesperson N Bupenda Meitei stated that the Congress party welcomes the Manipur High Court's directive to conduct fresh elections to Gram Panchayats and Zilla Parishads within six months.

He urged the SEC to issue a notification to hold the elections as soon as possible as directed by the High Court.

Bupenda, also an AICC member, added that the term of the 5th Gram Panchayat election, held in 2017 ended in 2022 .

The Congress party consistently urged the Government to hold fresh elections to the Gram Panchayats, whose terms have expired, during various Assembly sessions, he said.

The Manipur High Court's directive clearly stated that the term of a Gram Panchayat cannot exceed five years, as per Article 243E, he said and urged the relevant authorities to conduct elections to Gram Panchayats and Zilla Parishads as soon as possible, given the significant delay.

With Manipur currently under President's Rule, Bupenda emphasized that the SEC should not wait until the last minute to issue the election notification.

He also stated that prolonged withholding of local body elections deprives people of their rights.

The MPCC spokesperson also noted that the terms of the Autonomous District Councils, Imphal Municipal Corporation, various Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats have expired, and urged the authorities to schedule elections for these bodies as well.

The MPCC had filed a PIL in 2022 seeking direction to hold elections for Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats, he said.

Urging the Governor's administration to uphold the Constitution and democracy by conducting elections to these bodies, he emphasized that timely elections are crucial for bringing peace and development.

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