Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, Oct 10,
A simmering institutional faceoff has surfaced in Himachal Pradesh, as reports across various media platforms highlight a growing disagreement between the State Government and the State Election Commission (SEC) over the timing of the upcoming Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections.
The state government, invoking powers under the Disaster Management Act, has proposed to defer the polls originally slated for December–January, citing widespread road damage and the slow pace of post-monsoon restoration. However, the SEC has questioned the legality of such administrative intervention, asserting that the election schedule is a constitutional prerogative of the Commission alone.
According to media reports, Chief Secretary and Chairman of the State Executive Committee, Sanjay Gupta, issued an order stating that elections would only be conducted after the “restoration of damaged and closed roads and normalization of conditions” across Himachal. The government’s stance is based on extensive losses caused by the 2025 monsoon, which triggered 47 cloudbursts, 98 flash floods, and 148 landslides, claiming 270 lives and causing an estimated Rs 5,426 crore in damages. Over 1,800 homes were completely destroyed, while hundreds of rural link roads remain blocked in districts such as Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur, and Shimla.
While the order cites public safety and logistical feasibility, the SEC has strongly objected, viewing it as administrative overreach. State Election Commissioner Anil Khachi, in his remarks carried by multiple outlets, reiterated that the Commission’s independence is constitutionally protected. “If elections are to be held after three months, will the roads not be restored by then?” he questioned, reminding that Panchayat elections have routinely been held during the winter since 1995 without major disruption.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, meanwhile, has sought to ease tensions, clarifying that the government’s intent is not political but practical. “No voter should be deprived of the right to vote due to inaccessible roads,” he said, echoing concerns earlier raised by Deputy Commissioners who advised delaying the polls until full connectivity is restored.
Observers note that the exchange reflects a broader tussle between administrative caution and constitutional autonomy. While the Disaster Management Act empowers the state to act during emergencies, the SEC’s authority to conduct free and timely local elections is safeguarded under the Constitution’s 73rd Amendment.
With the state still reeling from monsoon-triggered devastation, both institutions appear to be treading a fine line between disaster recovery priorities and democratic continuity. For now, the fate of 3,577 panchayats remains uncertain, as Himachal Pradesh waits for clarity on when its grassroots democratic process will resume.
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