Overview

• The state issued a notification deferring panchayati raj elections until road links are restored, invoking Section 24(e) of the Disaster Management Act.
• Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta signed the order after reports of 47 cloudbursts, 98 flash floods, 148 major landslides, about 270 rain-related deaths and losses estimated at Rs 5,426 crore.
• Deputy commissioners of Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur and Shimla sought the deferral to safeguard voters, polling staff and election materials in areas with damaged roads.
• The State Election Commission said it has received the order and will examine its basis, and the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister said polls could still be held in December–January if connectivity returns.
• The BJP condemned the decision as politically motivated, while the postponed exercise was to cover 3,577 panchayats electing 249 zila parishad wards and 91 panchayat samitis.