SEC Commissioner Anil Khachi Submits sealed-cover report on Panchayat poll preparations to Governor
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, Nov 21,
Further development amid growing friction between the state government and the State Election Commission (SEC), State Election Commissioner Anil Khachi on Tuesday submitted a sealed-cover report to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, outlining the Commission’s preparations for the Panchayat elections and the administrative hurdles encountered over the past several months.
The Governor, expressing unease over contradictory statements issued by ministers and district officials, said the differences had created avoidable confusion. “Ministers keep saying elections will be held on time. Yet seven Deputy Commissioners have reported that they are unable to prepare under current circumstances. Both sides are not on the same page,” he noted, urging the Sukhu government and the SEC to work together and “review the matter jointly.”
Shukla emphasised that timely Panchayat elections are a constitutional obligation and warned that any delay could create administrative instability across the state. He confirmed that the SEC briefed him in detail during the meeting and that he would study the sealed report carefully.
According to sources, Khachi informed the Governor that voter lists for the Panchayati Raj institutions had been completed, three crore ballot papers printed, and most election arrangements finalized. However, certain Deputy Commissioners and District Election Officers had not complied with specific SEC directions, and the reservation roster was still pending—an essential requirement before announcing the schedule.
The Commissioner also provided a full account of developments of the last two to three months, noting that while the Commission is constitutionally bound to conduct elections before January 31, the state government has repeatedly expressed reluctance, citing the ongoing Disaster Act and recovery operations.
The meeting took place days after a shift in the government’s posture. The Chief Secretary and the Panchayati Raj Secretary, who earlier skipped SEC meetings despite summons, recently met Khachi to convey the government’s preference for postponing the elections.
With the SEC firm on conducting polls within the constitutional timeline and the government signalling otherwise, the Governor’s intervention is being viewed as an effort to bridge the widening institutional gap. All eyes are now on the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which will take up the matter on December 22 and may play a decisive role in determining the election timetable.
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