Himachal CM Questions Court's Order on Panchayat Elections Amid Disaster Act

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has raised significant concerns regarding the High Court's order to conduct panchayat elections despite the ongoing Disaster Management Act. He questions the relevance of the Act and plans to seek clarification from the court. This comes after the court mandated elections for local bodies before April 30, 2026. Sukhu criticized previous court decisions as arbitrary and highlighted past instances where elections were postponed due to adverse weather conditions. His statements reflect a deeper inquiry into the legal implications of the Disaster Act in the context of local governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 9, 2026, 17:22 IST

Concerns Raised by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, expressed his concerns on Friday regarding the High Court's directive to conduct panchayat elections despite the implementation of the Disaster Management Act. He questioned, "We will ask the court whether the Disaster Act has become ineffective and holds no significance anymore."

High Court's Directive and Its Implications

This statement came shortly after the High Court instructed the government to hold elections for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and urban local bodies before April 30, 2026. Sukhu criticized several High Court rulings as arbitrary, lacking clear legal interpretation.

Legal Relevance of the Disaster Act

He emphasized that the core issue is not merely about the panchayat elections but rather the legal interpretation and relevance of the Disaster Management Act established by the central government. The Chief Minister stated, "We will seek clarification from the court regarding the relevance of the Disaster Act. We will analyze the ruling and take appropriate actions thereafter."

Previous Election Delays Due to Weather

Sukhu also pointed out that in the past, panchayat elections were not conducted in Shimla and other areas during December and January due to snowfall, while elections proceeded in lower regions.