Amendments to Municipal Election rules notified

The state government has notified key amendments to the Municipal Election Rules, 2015, in consultation with the State Election Commission, signalling movement towards urban local body polls expected later this year. Though uncertainty still hovers over the timelines for both municipal and panchayati raj institution elections, the Urban Development Department has rolled out changes to Rules 9, 27, 28 and 88 under the Himachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 1994.

A significant revision comes under Rule 88, which now formalises the oath-taking procedure for councillors nominated by the government rather than elected. The government has also tightened the window for electoral roll changes. Under the amended Rule 28(1), no fresh applications or additions to the voter list will be permitted once the election programme is announced.

Another change mandates that the final delimitation order issued by the DC must be formally published, ensuring documentary clarity and accountability in ward boundaries.