DCs had earlier declined to collect election material; State Election Commission issues district-wise schedule after firm directions
Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
Preparations for the upcoming Panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh have gained momentum. The District Election Officers and Deputy Commissioners (DCs), who earlier hesitated to collect the pending election material, have now agreed to proceed. Several DCs had initially refused to lift the material and demanded a clear schedule from the State Election Commission. After the delay in the election process, the Himachal State Election Commission took a strict stand, following which all district officials agreed to collect the material as instructed.
Last evening, a few district DCs along with the Panchayati Raj Department requested the Commission to issue specific dates and timings for the lifting of election material. They emphasized the need for a structured schedule so that each district could collect and transport the material systematically. Responding promptly, the Election Commission released a district-wise phased schedule for all 12 districts today.
According to the commission’s schedule, on 24 November the DCs of Keylong, Kaza, Kinnaur, and Kullu will collect the prepared election material from the Printing and Stationery Department in Shimla. These districts have been given priority due to their difficult terrain and long travel distances, ensuring the material reaches them on time.
On 25 November, the districts of Sirmaur and Una will receive their material. On 26 November, Shimla district officials will collect theirs, followed by Kangra on 27 November. Mandi will receive its material on 28 November, while Solan and Chamba will do so on 29 November. In the final phase, on 1 December, the DCs of Bilaspur and Hamirpur will collect the election material.
The State Election Commission has issued strict instructions regarding security arrangements during the transportation of election material. District administrations have been directed to ensure adequate police deployment, seal-packed loading, secure route planning, and CCTV monitoring to ensure safe transport.
According to the Commission, Panchayat elections form the foundation of the democratic system in the state, and conducting them within the stipulated timeframe remains a top priority. This is why the Commission took immediate action when delays were reported.
Election officials said the material includes ballot papers, ballot boxes, election stationery, and various required forms. Once the material reaches each district headquarters, the distribution process at the block level will begin.
The Commission has clearly stated that all districts must collect the material as per the allocated schedule, and any delay will be taken seriously. It expressed confidence that the election preparations will now move forward smoothly and in a time-bound manner.
With the notification of Panchayat elections expected soon, various stages including nomination filing, scrutiny, and polling will take place in different phases. After the Commission’s firm instructions, election preparations across the state now appear back on track.