Panchayati Raj institution elections in Himachal Pradesh have been postponed with the state government issuing orders under the Disaster Management Act that polls will only be conducted after proper road connectivity is restored across the state. The chairman of the State Executive Committee formed under the Disaster Management Act 2005 issued these orders considering damaged roads and adverse conditions of public and private property.
The government cited extensive monsoon damage as justification for the postponement. Monsoon 2025 caused widespread destruction with 47 cloudburst incidents, 98 flash floods, and 148 major landslides recorded across different parts of the state. A total of 270 people died in various incidents, while 198 lost their lives in road accidents during this period. The disaster damaged 1,817 houses completely and 8,323 houses partially, causing total losses of ₹5,426 crore, with much damage yet to be assessed and reported.
The government stated that according to the India Meteorological Department, heavy rainfall continues in the post-monsoon season due to active western disturbances, causing 13 deaths from notified disasters during this period and 20 deaths in road accidents. With panchayat elections scheduled for December 2025 and January 2026 when the state experiences heavy snowfall and severe cold waves, conducting elections during the stipulated period appears unfeasible.
District collectors request election postponement
Deputy Commissioners of Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur, and Shimla requested through the Panchayati Raj Secretary that orders be issued under the Disaster Management Act 2005 to ensure safety of voters, polling staff, and election materials. They emphasized the need for restoration of all damaged roads before conducting elections to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure people don’t lose their right to vote due to road connectivity problems.
Opposition alleges political motive
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur criticized the election postponement, stating that the Chief Minister and government cannot face the people of the state. “The government is using natural disaster as a pretext to avoid holding panchayat elections. The government already knows the election results – Congress faces certain defeat. First they avoided municipal corporation and urban body elections, now panchayat elections have been stopped,” Thakur alleged.
He claimed the entire sequence was pre-planned by the government, with district deputy commissioners being made to write letters before immediately postponing elections. “Instead of running from its failures, the government should face the public and conduct elections at the scheduled time. The very disaster victims in whose name the government is postponing elections have been left to God’s mercy by this government,” Thakur stated.
