Uproar Over Kangra Panchayat Poll Results; Supporters Lock Polling Team Inside Room After 8-Vote Defeat

May 27, 2026

Kangra: Chaos erupted following the vote counting in Jhikli Ichhi Panchayat, located in the Kangra block of Himachal Pradesh. The counting process continued throughout the night, and at 6:30 AM the moment the results for the post of ‘Pradhan'(village head) were declared supporters of the candidate who lost by a mere eight votes locked the polling party inside the counting room.

Kangra Block Development Officer (BDO) Tarul Katiyar and Tehsildar Prakash Chand have arrived at the scene and are currently engaging in talks with the agitated crowd. A large number of people have gathered outside the Panchayat building and have blocked the officials’ vehicles. Slogans are being raised against the district administration, creating a tense atmosphere in the area. The irate crowd has alleged that 35 votes are missing.

Villagers now protesting on the road

It is worth noting that in Jhikni Ichhi Panchayat, the Congress-backed candidate, Iqbal Singh, won the election, while the BJP-backed candidate, Vijay Kumar, was defeated. Iqbal Singh secured 1,331 votes, while Vijay received 1,323 votes. The angry crowd is now staging a protest on the road outside the Panchayat building. A significant police force has been deployed to the scene.

Troublemakers briefly disrupt counting in Kholi Panchayat

In Kholi Panchayat, also in Kangra, troublemakers briefly disrupted the vote-counting process. This caused a delay in the declaration of results. Reports suggest that certain miscreants barged into the counting center; however, police personnel subsequently evicted them, allowing the vote counting to resume.

In Kholi Panchayat, the former Block Congress President, Kewal Chaudhary, lost the election. Meanwhile, Kashmira Devi wife of BJP-backed District Council candidate Vijay Kumar Biju and Sarita wife of BJP-backed District Council candidate Rimpal Kumar from Haledkalan emerged victorious for the post of ‘Pradhan'(Head) in Jogipur Panchayat. Dimple was elected as the ‘Up-Pradhan'(Deputy Head).

Sanjeev becomes ‘Pradhan’ in Nandrul Panchayat; Seema Devi in ​​Daulatpur

From Nandrul Panchayat, Congress-backed candidate Sanjeev Sippi secured a victory. In Daulatpur Panchayat, Seema Devi was elected as ‘Pradhan’ and Dr. Satish Soni as ‘Up-Pradhan’. In Tiara Panchayat, Anita Devi was elected as ‘Pradhan’and Naveen Kumar as ‘Up-Pradhan’.

In Kachhyari Panchayat, Kapil Chaudhary registered a victory for the post of ‘Pradhan’by a margin of approximately 500 votes, while Vikas Chaudhary became the ‘Up-Pradhan’. Ram Krishna was elected as ‘Pradhan’ from Kulthi Panchayat, and Himachali Devi was elected as ‘Pradhan’from Gahaliyan Panchayat.