PRI Polls in Himachal Stuck in Deadlock as Govt, SEC Face Off

The stalemate over panchayati raj institution (PRI) elections in Himachal Pradesh shows no signs of easing, with the state government reiterating that polls cannot be held until full restoration of essential services is complete.

In its latest communication to the State Election Commission (SEC), the government cited damaged roads, water supply schemes, and power lines as reasons for continuing with its October 8 order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which deferred the elections. Officials stressed that district administrations remain fully engaged in relief and restoration work for families affected by recent disasters.

The SEC, however, has pushed back. In a letter dated October 17, it argued that most daily activities in the state — from melas to schools — are functioning normally, and that road connectivity issues are limited to certain pockets. The Commission maintained it could have considered those areas separately in consultation with the government, pointing to its November 15 meeting that was convened precisely to address such concerns.

This tug-of-war has left the PRI elections in limbo, raising questions about governance and grassroots representation. While the government insists that public interest lies in prioritizing recovery, the SEC believes the democratic process should not be stalled across the entire state.

For now, the impasse continues, leaving citizens waiting for clarity on when their local self-government polls will finally take place.