Ballot Papers Fall Short in Himachal Panchayat Polls as Candidate Numbers Surge

May 19, 2026

Shimla: The growing enthusiasm among rural residents to contest the Panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh has created an unexpected challenge for the State Election Commission, forcing authorities to reprint ballot papers after the number of candidates exceeded the available space on the original ballots.

The ballot papers printed earlier had space for only 10 candidates. However, in several Panchayats across the state, the number of contestants has crossed 10, with some seats witnessing as many as 15 candidates in the fray.

Election Commission Orders Reprinting of Longer Ballot Papers

The increasing number of candidates has raised concerns for the State Election Commission. The highest number of contestants has been reported from Mandi’s Zila Parishad Behal Ward No. 25, where 15 candidates are contesting. Along with the NOTA option, the total entries on the ballot paper will rise to 16.

Due to this, authorities have started printing new and longer ballot papers to accommodate all candidates. Similarly, 13 candidates are contesting from Badgaon Zila Parishad Ward in Bilaspur district.

Kangra’s Panjahra Panchayat Sees 14 Candidates for Pradhan Post

For the post of Panchayat Pradhan, the highest number of contestants has been recorded in Panjahra Panchayat of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, where 14 candidates are in the race.

The number of candidates for Deputy Pradhan and BDC posts has also crossed 10 in several Panchayats, with Kangra district reporting the maximum such cases.

The intense competition has made village politics more interesting and highly competitive, reflecting the growing participation and interest of people in local self-governance.

More Than 70,000 Candidates in the Fray

Voting for Himachal Pradesh’s 3,754 Panchayats will be conducted in three phases on May 26, 28 and 30.

Around 70,224 candidates are contesting elections for various posts including Pradhan, Deputy Pradhan, Ward Member, BDC and Zila Parishad member.

According to election officials, counting for the posts of Pradhan, Deputy Pradhan and Ward Member will take place at Panchayat Bhawans on the day of polling itself, and results will be declared the same day.

Counting for BDC and Zila Parishad on May 31

The counting of votes for BDC and Zila Parishad seats will be conducted on May 31 at district and block headquarters.

Through these elections, the state will elect 3,754 Pradhans, 3,754 Deputy Pradhans, 21,654 Ward Members, 1,769 BDC members and 251 Zila Parishad representatives.