In an unprecedented development that has created constitutional tensions in Himachal Pradesh, State Election Commissioner Anil Kumar Khachi has publicly appealed for the state government's unconditional support to conduct the upcoming Panchayati Raj Institution elections scheduled for January 2026.
Unprecedented Situation in Bureaucratic Career
Anil Kumar Khachi, a 1986-batch former IAS officer with over three decades of bureaucratic experience, revealed that he has never encountered such circumstances regarding panchayat elections throughout his extensive career. The State Election Commissioner made these significant remarks during an exclusive interview, highlighting the critical juncture at which the electoral process currently stands.
The confrontation between the State Election Commission and the Congress-led government under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has reached a crucial phase, with both institutions holding differing positions on key electoral procedures. Khachi emphasized that while he wouldn't characterize the situation as a crisis, the current impasse represents an unprecedented scenario in Himachal's electoral history.
Constitutional Deadlock Over Delimitation
The core of the dispute revolves around the delimitation process, with the state government insisting that the SEC follow the Cabinet-approved delimitation decision. However, the Election Commission recently issued a notification barring the delimitation process, creating a constitutional standoff between the two constitutional bodies.
Khachi clarified that panchayat elections are fundamentally a two-way process requiring joint efforts from both the state government and the State Election Commission. Neither institution can single-handedly conduct the elections, making cooperation essential for fulfilling constitutional obligations within the prescribed timeframe.
Critical Requirements for Election Conduct
The State Election Commissioner specified two primary constraints that need immediate resolution from the state government. First, the commission requires clarity on the reservation roster for panchayats, which falls under the government's jurisdiction. Second, if the government believes the disaster situation has subsided, it must formally withdraw the order restraining Deputy Commissioners from undertaking election-related work.
Regarding election preparedness, Khachi confirmed that voter lists for 3,548 out of 3,577 gram panchayats and all 70 Urban Local Bodies have been successfully completed. The remaining 29 gram panchayats will have their final voter lists ready by December 1, demonstrating the commission's technical readiness for the electoral process.
Khachi served as chief secretary from January 2021 to August 2022 during the previous BJP government before being appointed as State Election Commissioner in August 2021. His extensive administrative experience adds significant weight to his concerns about the current electoral impasse and his call for unconditional government support to ensure democratic processes continue uninterrupted in Himachal Pradesh.
