In a significant relief to the Himachal Pradesh government, the Supreme Court of India on Friday extended the deadline to hold elections for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) and local bodies in the state from April 30 to May 31, 2026.
Acting on a petition filed by the state government, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi extended the deadline by a month fixed by the Himachal Pradesh High Court for holding the local body polls in the state.
The state government had deferred the elections for PRIs showing its inability to hold the elections scheduled for December 2025 citing natural disaster in the state during monsoon season last year.
It had taken a plea that since natural disasters had washed away link roads in many parts which have yet been restored, it may not be prudent to hold the election after complete normalization of the situation; moreover, delimitation exercise was also to be carried out before the election.
However, not convinced with this argument of the state government the State Election Department had directed the state government to hold the election by April 30, 2026, which was also endorsed by the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
The Supreme Court Bench , said, “The direction issued by the high court that elections to municipal corporations/panchayats/urban local bodies are required to be held after expiry of the term of elected bodies is over is a correct expression of law and does not warrant any interference by this court.”
“The top court also agreed with the high court’s view that the delimitation exercise could not be used to indefinitely delay local body elections in Himachal Pradesh and made it clear that no further application for extension of time shall be entertained,” it said.
