The Supreme Court on Friday extended the deadline for holding local body elections in Himachal Pradesh by one month, allowing the poll process to be completed by May 31, instead of the April 30 deadline earlier fixed by the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order while hearing a plea by the state government’s Principal Secretary, who sought more time citing reconstruction, delimitation, and reservation formalities pending in the state.
The top court also extended the February 28 deadline for completion of delimitation, reservation, and related tasks to March 31.
While granting the time extension, the bench upheld the reasoning of the Himachal Pradesh High Court that the pendency of delimitation work cannot be used as a justification to stall the democratic process.
“The High Court was right in holding that the pendency of delimitation work cannot be a ground to delay and stall the polls for rural and urban local bodies,” the bench observed.
However, taking into account the monsoon season and terrain-related challenges in the hill state, the Supreme Court found it appropriate to permit the government to conclude the election process before May 31.
The development stems from a January 9 order by the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which had rejected the state government’s plea to defer panchayati raj elections by six months. The government had argued that widespread damage caused by recent natural disasters, including destruction of infrastructure and properties, had hindered preparations.
The High Court, while disposing of a PIL that challenged the postponement of polls, directed the State Election Commission and the government to ensure elections are held before April 30.
The state had invoked the Disaster Management Act, citing ongoing recovery work, but the High Court had remained unconvinced, having heard the matter over three consecutive days.
Following the Supreme Court’s order, the Himachal Pradesh government and the State Election Commission must now conclude the entire election process for rural and urban local bodies by May 31, and complete all preparatory work including delimitation, reservation, and reconstruction by March 31.
