What happened
In May 2026, the A&NI Administration notified the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Tribal Councils (Preparation of Electoral Rolls and Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2026, prescribing formal five-yearly elections for Village Councils and Island Tribal Councils across Nicobar. Under the proposed system, villagers elect 5-9 Captains per village, directly vote for the Chief Captain of each Island Tribal Council, and First Captains then elect the Vice-Chief Captain. The rules were framed under a 2009 Regulation — which most Nicobarese had not had access to. ANTCC President Rangalal Halder submitted a representation to the Lieutenant Governor on June 12, requesting the rules be 'kept in abeyance until a comprehensive review is undertaken,' noting that the draft was prepared without consultation with Tribal Councils, traditional leaders, village captains, Tuhet representatives, or any member of the Nicobarese community. The Tribal Welfare Department set June 15 as the deadline for objections. The government has not responded publicly.