Panchayat Polls Announced in Himachal on May 26 and 28, Model Code of Conduct Comes Into Force
The Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission on Tuesday formally announced the schedule for Panchayat elections, setting the state on course for a major grassroots democratic exercise later this month. Polling will be held in two phases—on May 26 and May 28—and with the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into immediate effect across Himachal Pradesh.
State Election Commissioner Anil Khachi shared the details at a press conference in Shimla, saying elections will be conducted for a total of 31,182 seats across Panchayati Raj Institutions. Vote counting will be carried out in two stages after polling is completed, covering posts such as Pradhan, Up-Pradhan and Panchayat Members.
To ensure transparency and fairness, videography will be carried out at all polling stations. Voting will take place in two phases, and results will be declared after the counting process is completed.
The elections will see participation from over 50.79 lakh voters across the state, including 25.67 lakh male and 25.11 lakh female voters. Nearly 21,678 polling stations will be set up, including one located at an altitude of 4,587 metres—the highest polling station in Himachal Pradesh. Notably, around 50,000 voters above the age of 85 are expected to take part in the elections, reflecting strong engagement across age groups.
Women will have a significant presence in the new Panchayats, with 15,656 seats reserved for them. To avoid confusion during voting, five different coloured ballot papers will be used—light green for Pradhan, yellow for Up-Pradhan, white for Panchayat Member, pink for Panchayat Samiti and light blue for Zila Parishad member. To encourage maximum voter turnout, polling days will be declared paid holidays.
With the Model Code of Conduct now in force, the state government will not be allowed to announce new schemes, launch fresh recruitment drives, issue tenders or carry out transfers, promotions, inaugurations or foundation-laying ceremonies. The MCC is intended to ensure a level playing field and prevent misuse of official machinery during the election process.
The Election Commission is working under directions from the Supreme Court of India, which has mandated that Panchayat elections be completed before May 31. Officials said the process is being expedited to meet the deadline. Earlier, elections to urban local bodies were also announced, with polling scheduled for May 17 and May 22 in different areas.
The Commission has also laid down strict eligibility norms. Individuals dismissed from government service will not be allowed to contest, and their nominations will be cancelled if complaints are found to be valid. Government employees are barred from acting as election agents, with violations attracting punishment of up to three years in prison. Those receiving honorariums from government bodies must resign before filing nominations.
At the same time, there is no minimum educational qualification required to contest Panchayat elections, ensuring broad participation at the village level. Officials said the Model Code of Conduct—framed in consultation with political parties—will be strictly enforced to guarantee free and fair elections, in line with the constitutional mandate under Article 324.
