The court made it clear that the entire electoral process must conclude within the revised schedule and that no indefinite delay will be permitted.
SC sets 31 May deadline for Panchayat, Urban Body polls in HP
Shimla: The Supreme Court has directed that elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies in the state must be completed by 31 May, 2026.
The court made it clear that the entire electoral process must conclude within the revised schedule and that no indefinite delay will be permitted.
A division bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order while hearing the state’s Special Leave Petition challenging the earlier directive of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which had set April 30, 2026, as the deadline.
Reservation Roster Must Be Finalised by 31 March
While extending the deadline for conducting elections by a month, the apex court directed that the reservation roster must be finalised and implemented by March 31, 2026. The bench emphasised that the democratic process cannot be postponed indefinitely and that it is the constitutional responsibility of the state to ensure timely elections despite administrative hurdles.
State Cites Harsh Winter, Logistical Hurdles
During the hearing, the state government argued that severe winter conditions, heavy snowfall, road blockages, and transportation disruptions-especially in remote tribal areas-had hampered ground-level preparations for the elections.
The government also submitted that it required additional time to complete the legal formalities related to the reservation process. It further questioned whether provisions under the Disaster Management Act allow limited postponement of elections in disaster-like circumstances.
However, the Supreme Court clarified that while practical difficulties may justify a short extension, elections to constitutional bodies must be held within a stipulated timeframe and cannot be delayed indefinitely.
Focus Shifts to State Election Commission
Following the court’s directive, the onus now lies on the State Election Commission to complete the reservation process by March 31 and ensure that Panchayat and Municipal elections are conducted by May 31, 2026.
Administrative Control After Term Expiry
The tenure of elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions in Himachal Pradesh ended on January 31, 2026. In the absence of newly elected bodies, the state government has temporarily transferred powers of Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads to administrative officers with effect from February 1.
However, Panchayats in the Keylong subdivision of Lahaul-Spiti district, the Pangi subdivision of Chamba district, and four Gram Panchayats in Kullu district have been kept outside this temporary arrangement for now.
Committees Formed to Ensure Administrative Continuity
To maintain administrative and financial functioning, the government has constituted committees at various levels:
At the Gram Panchayat level, the Block Development Officer has been appointed as Chairperson and the Panchayat Secretary as Member Secretary.
For Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads, senior administrative officers have been designated as Chairpersons, with other officials serving as Members and Member Secretaries.
With the Supreme Court’s revised timeline in place, the state administration must now expedite preparations to meet the constitutional mandate within the set deadline.
