Himachal Removes 7-Day Limit for ZP-BDC Chairman Elections

May 8, 2026

Shimla: In Himachal Pradesh, there are no longer any time constraints for electing the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the Zila Parishad (ZP) and Panchayat Samiti (BDC). The State Government has amended the Panchayati Raj Act, thereby removing the stipulation regarding a specific time limit. Consequently, Deputy Commissioners (DCs) will now be able to select the ZP and BDC Chairpersons at their own discretion, at any time they deem appropriate.

According to legal experts, with the removal of the time limit, the process of selecting Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons could now take anywhere from six months to a full year. This is expected to adversely affect government operations; specifically, until the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons are duly elected, meetings of the ZP and BDC cannot be convened.

These meetings are crucial for approving various developmental initiatives, such as panchayat-level schemes, road construction projects, drinking water supply systems, and budget allocations. Given the potential for a prolonged delay, the political dynamics—under which the public originally cast their votes—could shift significantly over time. Furthermore, political maneuvering—similar to the practices observed in other states, such as sequestering members in “safe locations” or hotels/resorts—could now extend down to the panchayat level.

What will be the impact of removing the time limit?

Abolishing the time limit for electing ZP and BDC Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons is expected to intensify political friction among the major political parties. The opposition has already signaled its apprehension regarding this matter. If a particular party lacks a clear majority, it may exert pressure to postpone the meeting, thereby causing the selection of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson to remain in limbo. It is worth noting that, technically, elections for the Zila Parishad and BDC are not contested under specific party symbols; nevertheless, the amendment to the Act has effectively sparked a new debate on this issue.

251 ZP and 1,769 BDC Members to be Elected

It is pertinent to mention that the nomination process—covering the posts of *Pradhan* (Head), *Up-Pradhan* (Deputy Head), Ward Members, as well as ZP and BDC members—commenced last Thursday. This process is scheduled to continue today and on May 11. The scrutiny of these nominations will take place on May 12, while aspiring candidates will have the opportunity to withdraw their nominations on May 14 and 15.

Voting for the Panchayat elections is scheduled to be held on May 26, 28, and 30. The results for the ZP and BDC elections are slated to be declared on May 31. However, in light of the recent amendment, the subsequent process of electing the ZP Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons may now take a considerable amount of time. In the state, 251 ZP members and 1,769 BDC members will be elected. Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons will be appointed in all 12 districts of the state. Similarly, BDC Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons will also be elected in every block.