US EditionHimachal Pradesh High Court Mandates Panchayat Polls Despite Government Pushback
The court set an April 30 deadline for elections across 3,749 local bodies, rejecting the government’s request to delay due to disaster-related challenges.
- On January 9, 2026 the Himachal Pradesh High Court directed the state and State Election Commission to hold PRI and urban local body elections before April 30, 2026 after a three-day hearing.
- The state government argued the Natural Disaster Act was in force after extensive damage to public and private properties and roads, seeking six months to hold polls while petitioners cited board examinations in March as impractical for polling.
- Assigning roles, the bench said the SEC and departments must complete preparations by February 28 and conduct elections within eight weeks or before 30.04.2026.
- The decision affects local bodies statewide by mandating elections as their five-year term ending later this month, with Opposition BJP calling it a democracy victory and Chief Minister Sukhu citing the Disaster Act.
- Under Articles 243-E and 243-U of the Constitution, the court stressed elections cannot be postponed indefinitely, while the State Election Commission warned postponement would clash with census duties beginning in May and monsoon months, noting it takes at least 90 days to hold polls.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Interpretation of Court Orders Not Correct Under Article 243E: HP Advocate General on Panchayati Raj Polls
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Stating that the interpretation of recent court orders on Panchayati Raj elections was not correct, Himachal Pradesh Advocate General Anup Kumar Rattan on Friday said that Article 243E of the Constitution and the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act clearly provide a defined time frame for completing the electoral process. India News | Interpretation of Court Orders Not Corre…
High court decision arbitrary without legal interpretation: CM Sukhu on panchayat poll order - The Tribune
Following court directives on holding of panchayat elections before April 30, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said the high court decisions are being given arbitrarily without legal interpretation.
Himachal Pradesh High Court Mandates Panchayat Polls Despite Government Pushback
Himachal Pradesh High Court Mandates Panchayat Polls Despite Government Pushback The Himachal Pradesh High Court has rejected a request from the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government to postpone elections for panchayati raj bodies. The court ruled that the elections must take place before April 30, despite the state citing extensive weather damage and logistical challenges.A division bench, comprising Justice Vivek Thakur and Justice Romesh Verma, d…
Himachal High Court orders Panchayat elections before April 30, says Disaster law can't override constitutional mandate
A division bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Romesh Verma passed the order holding that elected local bodies cannot be allowed to continue beyond their five-year constitutional term on the pretext of administrative delays or disaster-related orders.
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