Graphical Representation

March, March 31: In a determined call for democratic governance, several NGOs and former elected representatives organized a peaceful hunger protest on Sunday, demanding the immediate conduct of rural local body elections across 28 districts in Tamil Nadu. The tenure of these local governments officially ended on January 5, 2025. However, the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission has yet to announce election dates, leaving nearly 91,975 local government positions vacant.

Addressing the gathering, former representatives criticized the government for its inaction, emphasizing that the delay has severely impacted the lives of rural residents. Without elected local bodies, crucial civic services such as water supply, sanitation, and street lighting have suffered, leaving communities struggling with unattended grievances.

Participating NGOs, including Thannatchi, Arappor Iyakkam, Voice of People, Institute of Grassroots Governance, and Thozhan, along with over 200 former local body representatives, voiced their concerns over the lack of administrative accountability. They underscored that grassroots democracy is fundamental to ensuring efficient governance, and further delays would continue to deprive residents of their fundamental rights to representation and public services.

The protesters urged the State Election Commission to expedite the electoral process and called upon the Tamil Nadu government to demonstrate commitment to local self-governance. The peaceful demonstration reflected a growing frustration among civic groups and former representatives who believe that prolonged delays in local body elections erode democratic institutions and public trust.