Himachal Panchayat Elections: Shimla DC Suspends ARO Over Alleged Rule Violations

May 17, 2026

In Himachal, the District Election Officer and DC Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, have suspended Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) Rajneesh Chauhan with immediate effect for serious negligence in the Panchayat elections. This action was taken after rules were found to be ignored in the allocation of election symbols in the Gram Panchayat Dalgon of Rohru, Shimla district.

According to the information – Rajneesh Chauhan works as a Group Instructor at ITI Samarkot. He had been appointed as ARO. Under the Panchayat election process, after the last date for withdrawal of names, on May 15, the responsibility of allocating election symbols to the contesting candidates lay with the concerned officer.

The investigation found that the allocation of election symbols was not done in accordance with the guidelines issued by the State Election Commission. The orders mentioned that the allocation of election symbols was required to be done based on the order of the Hindi alphabet and the serial number notified by the State Election Commission.

The allocation of election symbols was not done according to the Hindi alphabet.

The rules and procedures prescribed by the ARO for the allocation of election symbols were not followed, and the distribution of symbols was made contrary to the provisions. The district administration has considered this a serious procedural error and gross negligence of duty in the election process. The order clarified that this action created an obstacle in the smooth conduct of the election process and affected administrative management.

It is noteworthy that during the Panchayat election duty, the concerned officer was working on deputation under the State Election Commission under Section 160-E of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. In such a case, any kind of negligence in election duties is considered a serious disciplinary offense.

DC Anupam Kashyap stated that, using the powers conferred by Section 160 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, Article 243-K of the Indian Constitution, Rule-10 of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, and the State Election Commission, orders have been issued to suspend Rajnish Chauhan with immediate effect.

Attached to the BDO Rohru office

During the suspension, Rajnish Chauhan has been instructed to join the BDO office in Rohru. The DC clarified that any kind of negligence in conducting the panchayat election process impartially, transparently, and in a regulated manner will not be tolerated, and strict action will continue to be taken in such cases in the future as well.

DC warned departments not providing vehicles

The DC said that during elections, vehicles from various departments have been deployed for election duty. But many departments are not sending their vehicles. Action will also be taken against such departments. According to the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and the instructions of the State Election Commission, election work is considered an essential government duty. Therefore, the concerned departments have to provide their vehicles and drivers.

He said that no negligence will be tolerated in ensuring a fair election process. Personnel deployed on election duty have to perform their duties according to the given instructions.