Shimla:
The Himachal Pradesh government has withdrawn the order issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 that had earlier delayed elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The decision was taken in view of improved connectivity across the state and directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
According to an order issued by the Department of Revenue, Disaster Management Cell on February 28, 2026, the earlier directive dated October 8, 2025 had postponed the Panchayati Raj elections until restoration of proper connectivity across the state to avoid inconvenience to the public and polling staff.
However, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation titled Dikken Kumar Thakur vs State of Himachal Pradesh, the Himachal Pradesh High Court had directed the concerned departments to complete the process of reconstitution of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies by February 28, 2026 and conduct elections within eight weeks thereafter.
Subsequently, the Supreme Court of India, while hearing SLP (C) No. 5451/2026 on February 13, 2026, directed the State Election Commission, Panchayati Raj Department, Urban Development Department and the State Disaster Management Authority to complete all pending processes by March 31, 2026 and hold elections within eight weeks, preferably by May 31, 2026.
Taking note of the Apex Court’s directions and the improvement in connectivity across the state, the Himachal Pradesh government has now officially withdrawn the earlier order issued under the Disaster Management Act.
The order was issued by Sanjay Gupta, IAS, Chief Secretary-cum-Chairman of the State Executive Committee, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Himachal Pradesh.
This move is expected to pave the way for holding Panchayati Raj elections in the state within the timeline set by the Supreme Court.
