Himachal Pradesh High Court directed the State government to conduct elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies before April 30, 2026. The court rejected the State government’s plea to defer the elections by six months, which cited extensive damage to public and private properties and roads and said the Disaster Act is in force in the State. The court also directed the State Election Commission and the State government to complete the entire election process by February 28. The State Election Commission said further postponement would create more difficulties because census duties will begin in May and elections during the monsoon months of July and August would be nearly impossible.