HP Panchayat Elections: Formation of New Panchayats Later, Voter List to Be Published Within a Week

HP Panchayat Elections: Government Asked to Publish Voter Lists by January 28, Poll Preparations Gain Momentum

The State Election Commission has directed the Himachal Pradesh government to publish the voter lists for panchayat elections by January 28. The Commission clarified that if the government intends to form new panchayats, the process can continue even after the publication of the voter lists. The Commission has no objection to the formation of new panchayats.

Out of a total of 3,577 panchayats in the state, voter lists for 3,548 panchayats have already been prepared, except for 29 panchayats. These lists only need to be made public. The voter lists are currently with the Deputy Commissioners and require their signatures.

State Election Commissioner Anil Khachi stated during a meeting that the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed that elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions be conducted before April 30. In this regard, the government must submit a status report on election preparedness to the High Court by February 28.

According to the prepared voter lists, the state has approximately 5.6 million voters. Nearly 30 million ballot papers have already been printed for the panchayat elections. It was also decided that all election-related procedures must be completed after school examinations and before the commencement of the Assembly session.

Around 22,000 polling booths will be set up across the state, primarily in schools. School teachers will be assigned election duties, and nearly 35,000 personnel will be deployed to conduct the elections smoothly.

Administrator System to Continue

The Commission clarified that the tenure of Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, and Pradhans cannot be extended without amending the law. In the absence of such amendments, administrators will have to be appointed to run these institutions.

Powers to Be Delegated

Under the interim arrangement, the powers of Zila Parishads will rest with the Deputy Commissioners, Panchayat Samitis with Block Development Officers (BDOs), and the powers of Pradhans will be exercised by Panchayat Secretaries, Patwaris, or teachers.

State Election Commissioner Anil Khachi reiterated that the government must publish the voter lists by January 28. Once the roster is finalized by the government, the State Election Commission will initiate the next course of action.