• Source:JND

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued orders to complete the Panchayati Raj elections before April 30. The verdict was delivered by a division bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Romesh Sharma.

The court has directed that all election-related processes must be completed by February 28, and the elections must be concluded by April 30. Petitioner Dikkan Kumar Thakur and his advocate, Nandlal Thakur, termed the decision a major relief. The petitioner noted that the government could not postpone the Panchayati Raj elections by citing the Disaster Management Act.

What Did The Sukhu Government Say?

The state government had informed the court that it had no intention of deferring the panchayat elections. However, it argued that given the current circumstances, a minimum of six months was required.

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The government submitted that the process of delimitation (redefining boundaries) for new Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Municipal Corporations is currently underway in the state, creating practical difficulties in conducting the elections on time.

Petitioners Challenge Delays

Questioning the government's arguments, the petitioners stated that it was improper to postpone elections indefinitely by citing natural disasters or delimitation work. They clarified that the delimitation process for new Panchayats and Zila Parishads could continue even after the elections were concluded.

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Citing a Supreme Court judgment, the petitioners argued that holding elections on time is a constitutional obligation of the government, and they cannot be deferred on the grounds of administrative activities like delimitation.


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