Himachal Assembly passes bill to defer Civic polls in New Councils, Corporations
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, Aug 29,
The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Friday cleared amendments to the Municipal Council and Municipal Corporation Acts, empowering the state government to postpone elections in newly created local bodies for a period of up to two years.
The two bills, introduced by Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh in the absence of Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, were adopted by a voice vote after discussion in the House.
According to the government, the changes are intended to address challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and to ensure that new municipalities and corporations are adequately equipped before polls are held. The Statement of Objects and Reasons explained that many of these new bodies currently lack staff, infrastructure, office space, and financial capacity, making immediate elections impractical.
The amendments replace the Himachal Pradesh Municipal (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, with minor alterations, and make key changes in both Acts. Section 14 of the Municipal Council Act has been revised to permit the first election within two years of a council’s creation. Once constituted, councils will continue for five years from the date of their first meeting unless dissolved sooner.
Similarly, Sections 4 and 5 of the Municipal Corporation Act have been amended to extend the time frame for holding the first election from six months to two years. In case elections are not held, government-appointed officers will carry out the functions of the corporation. Newly formed corporations will serve out the remaining tenure of any body dissolved earlier, with all corporations continuing for a five-year term thereafter.
The Opposition, led by former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur along with Rakesh Jamwal and Satpal Singh Satti, strongly opposed the move, terming it “illegal” and warning that it could be challenged in court. They argued that the changes could trigger confusion in administration and pointed to instances such as the Una Municipal Corporation, where notices worth Rs 1.5 crore were issued while flood-hit areas remained neglected.
Defending the amendments, Minister Anirudh Singh said that in several urban areas the population had grown by over 60 per cent, warranting reorganisation and better planning before polls. He maintained that the integration of new areas was done after consultations and that continuity of development projects, MLA/MP funds, and basic civic services would not be disrupted. Singh further noted that measures to ensure OBC representation in upcoming elections had also contributed to the delay.
After debate, the House approved both amendments, granting the government legal authority to manage newly constituted municipal councils and corporations while deferring elections for up to two yea
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