Punjab Newsline | Shimla
The State Election Commission has announced that elections will be held in 51 urban local bodies of Himachal Pradesh on May 17, 2026. Himachal Pradesh Election Commissioner Anil Khachi made the announcement on Tuesday, declaring the election schedule for four municipal corporations Solan, Mandi, Dharamshala, and Palampur along with 47 municipal councils and nagar panchayats.
With the announcement of the election dates, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect in all urban bodies across the state.
Khachi informed during a press conference in Shimla that elections will be conducted in 4 municipal corporations, 25 municipal councils, and 22 nagar panchayats. The total electorate includes 1,80,963 male voters and 1,79,882 female voters. Additionally, 1,808 young voters aged 18 years will cast their vote for the first time. He also added that voters can check their details, including family members’ names, on the Sarathi app.
The nomination process will be held on April 29, 30, and May 2 (until 3 PM). Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on May 4 from 10 AM onwards. Candidates can withdraw their nominations on May 6 between 10 AM and 3 PM. Election symbols will be allotted immediately after the withdrawal process.
The list of polling stations will be published on April 29, while voting will take place on May 17 from 7 AM to 3 PM. Counting of votes for municipal councils and nagar panchayats will be conducted on the same day, whereas counting for the four municipal corporations will be held on May 31.
Anil Khachi also stated that candidates will have a maximum expenditure limit of ₹1 lakh for municipal corporation elections, ₹75,000 for municipal council elections, and ₹50,000 for nagar panchayat elections.