Shukla said he had received a closed envelope from the State Election Commissioner on Friday, but he had not yet opened it.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta has met State Election Commissioner Anil Khachi. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Secretary C. Paulrasu also met Khachi, and it was conveyed on behalf of the state government that it would not be possible to hold the elections before 30 January, 2026.

Gupta has also conveyed to the SEC that the delimitation of some panchayats, as per the Cabinet’s decision, may be allowed.

In a notification issued on 9 October, Chief Secretary and Chairman of the State Executive Committee Sanjay Gupta had announced that the polls would be held only after the restoration of proper connectivity, considering the damage to roads and private and public property during the monsoon season.

The issue of deferment of the panchayat elections is scheduled to come up for hearing before the Himachal Pradesh High Court on 22 December.

On the other hand, State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, along with other ministers, has maintained that the elections would be held on time.

The elections to over 3,500 gram panchayats in the state are slated to be held in December and January 2026. The last date for conducting the elections is 23 January, and the State Election Commission has initiated the process with the preparation of electoral rolls.