IT News
Imphal, Mar 4:
President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur in February 2025 following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid escalating ethnic violence. Reports indicate that this central intervention has raised concerns about the status of local governance, particularly the long-pending elections for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). Sources have stated that the failure to conduct these elections has led to governance gaps at the grassroots level, affecting rural development and local administration.
It has been reported that the tenure of the 5th Gram Panchayat ended in October 2022, but elections for the 6th Gram Panchayat have not yet been conducted. In response to this delay, the government had reportedly appointed administrative committees to oversee local governance, a move that has been widely criticized for bypassing democratic processes. Former up-adhakshya of Imphal East Zila Parishad, Kshetri Tama, was quoted as saying that the absence of elected bodies had hindered growth in rural areas by obstructing development activities. Observers have noted that without elected representatives, the effective implementation of rural welfare schemes has been compromised.
Similar concerns have reportedly been raised regarding ADC elections, which are crucial for governing the hill areas of Manipur. Sources suggest that the terms of ADCs expired first, followed by those of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayats. The elections for ADCs were initially postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pending delimitation processes by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC). According to reports, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had assured in March 2023 that all necessary formalities for these elections had been forwarded to the State Election Commission, yet the polls remain unheld. Political analysts believe that the continued delay in ADC elections has led to administrative stagnation in the hill regions.
The imposition of President’s Rule has reportedly further complicated the prospects of conducting these local body elections. Under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, it has been observed that the state’s legislative assembly is under suspended animation, placing the state under direct central administration. Experts have noted that while this measure aims to restore order, it often results in delays in local electoral processes, as the priority shifts toward stabilizing governance rather than holding elections.
Reports indicate that the prolonged absence of elected local bodies has had significant consequences for grassroots democracy and development in Manipur. It has been pointed out that without elected representatives, the proper utilization of funds and implementation of welfare programs have been hampered, affecting the delivery of essential services to rural populations. Political commentators have suggested that the delay also undermines the constitutional mandate of decentralized governance, which is considered crucial for addressing local issues effectively.
Civil society organizations and political leaders have reportedly called for urgent measures to expedite these elections. Many of them are said to have argued that restoring elected local bodies is essential to ensuring accountability, transparency, and the efficient execution of development projects. However, with the state under President’s Rule, the timeline for these elections remains uncertain. Observers have stated that the central administration must take immediate steps to prioritize the restoration of these institutions to uphold democratic principles and ensure effective governance at the grassroots level.
