Sukhvinder Sukhu to Seek Legal Opinion After EC Halts Panchayat Redrawing in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said that his government will seek legal advice on the recent notification issued by the State Election Commission (SEC), which has put an immediate stop to any restructuring, reclassification or alteration of boundaries of panchayats and urban local bodies.

Sukhu made the remarks on Tuesday in Guzarehra village near Gopalpur in Kangra district, where he attended the inauguration of a new temple dedicated to Mata Sheetla Devi. The ceremony was led by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who performed the traditional rituals.

The Chief Minister noted that ongoing rehabilitation efforts following the monsoon devastation, combined with harsh winter conditions, could delay elections to panchayats and urban local bodies. “The Disaster Act has been invoked. My foremost responsibility is to reach relief to the families affected by the disaster. Once relief work progresses, roads leading to many panchayats will reopen,” he said, adding that several regions will remain snow-covered during this period.

He reiterated that panchayat elections will be held, stating, “There is no doubt about the conduct of panchayat elections. We are working accordingly, keeping all factors in mind.”

Sukhu added that the government is already conducting a legal review of the newly proposed panchayat boundaries and related restructuring. “We are examining the new panchayat limits and reorganization from a legal standpoint, and further action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.

Earlier, the state government had requested the Election Commission to postpone the panchayat and municipal elections citing widespread damage caused by this year’s monsoon. The government argued that both public and private properties suffered extensive losses and that officials were fully engaged in restoration work.

However, shortly after this request, the state Cabinet approved the process of panchayat reorganization— a move that reportedly displeased the State Election Commission. The SEC viewed the decision as an attempt to influence the election schedule, following which it imposed a ban on any changes to panchayat or municipal boundaries to ensure timely elections.

The term of the Panchayati Raj Institutions ends on January 31, 2026. The tenure of 50 urban local bodies ends on January 18, while the four municipal corporations — Dharamshala, Palampur, Mandi, and Solan — complete their terms on April 13 next year.