Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Friday directed the state government to ensure that elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and urban local bodies are held within a fixed timeframe, turning down the government’s request to postpone the polls by six months.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Thakur and Justice Romesh Verma made it clear that the democratic process cannot be kept on hold indefinitely. While disposing of a public interest petition filed by advocate Mandeep Chandel against the delay in elections, the court instructed the state administration and the State Election Commission to complete the entire electoral exercise well before April 30, 2026. The bench further directed that preparatory steps and formal procedures should be wrapped up by February 28.
The state government had sought a deferment citing large-scale damage to infrastructure following recent disasters, arguing that roads, public assets and private property had been severely affected. It also pointed out that the Disaster Management Act continues to remain in force, making election logistics difficult. However, the court was not convinced by the submission, despite hearing arguments over three consecutive days.
Counsel for the petitioner, advocate Nand Lal, said the court took into account practical considerations such as school board examinations scheduled for March, during which setting up polling stations in educational institutions would pose challenges. Factoring this in, the court fixed the outer deadline at the end of April to ensure elections are completed without further delay.
The government had maintained that it would require at least six additional months to prepare for the polls in view of the prevailing situation, but the bench rejected this plea. The State Election Commission, too, indicated that pushing the elections further could complicate matters, as census-related duties are expected to begin in May, while the monsoon season in July and August would make election management extremely difficult.
The urgency surrounding the issue stems from the fact that the five-year term of Panchayati Raj bodies is set to expire on January 31, while the tenure of 50 urban local bodies will end earlier, on January 18. Himachal Pradesh has a wide local governance network comprising 3,577 Gram Panchayats, 90 Panchayat Samitis, 11 Zila Parishads and 71 urban local bodies.
Opposition parties had also questioned the government’s move to delay the polls, accusing it of avoiding electoral accountability. With the court’s clear directive now in place, the state government is expected to move swiftly to initiate the election process and adhere to the timelines laid down by the judiciary.
