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Code of conduct comes into force in Himachal as EC announces 9 Nov as polling date
On the Balloting Unit, below the name of the last candidate, there will now be a button for NOTA option so that electors who do not want to vote for any of the candidates can exercise their option by pressing the button against NOTA.
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has finally announced the date for the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections. The Hill state will go for polls on November 9, 2017. With this announcement, the model code of conduct has also come into force.
However, the Commission did not declare the polling date for the state of Gujrat.
Himachal has total 68 assembly constituencies. Out if total, 17 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 3 for the Scheduled Tribes.
This election, Himachal has 7479 polling stations as compared to 7252 in 2012 – an increase of 3.13 percent.
As per the draft rolls, the total numbers of electors in the states is 905677 (49.05 Lac).
The Commission has directed the State election machinery to ensure time-bound completion of Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls.
As a special initiative, Second Special Summary Revision 2017 was organized in Himachal from July 1 to September 15, 2017, during which 1.25 Lac voters name were added to the electoral rolls and 47,214 were deleted through form-7.
Through a special drive to enroll left out voters organized from 16th -30th September 2017, total 74885 new voters were added. Out of this total, 20437 new voters belong to 18-19 year age group.
Photo percentage in Photo Electoral Rolls of this State is 100%.
Secrecy of Voting- Increase in Height of Standardized Voting Compartment
In order to maintain the secrecy of the vote, the Commission has issued revised instructions to increase the height of the Voting Compartments to 30 inches.
Model Code of Conduct
All the provisions of the Model Code will apply to the whole of Himachal Pradesh and will be applicable to all candidates, political parties and, the State Government of Himachal Pradesh. The Model Code of Conduct will also be applicable to the Union Government insofar as announcements/policy decisions pertaining to/for this State is concerned.
The Commission has also issued instructions for swift, effective and stringent action for enforcement of Model Code of Conduct during the first 72 hours of the announcement of the election schedule and also for maintaining extra vigilance and strict enforcement action in the Last 72 hours prior to the close of polls.
All critical events will be video-graphed. District Election Officers will arrange a sufficient number of video and digital cameras and camera teams for the purpose.
All events like filing of nomination papers and scrutiny thereof, allotment of symbols, First Level Checking, preparations and storage of Electronic Voting Machines, important public meetings, processions etc. during election campaign, process of dispatching of postal ballot papers, polling process in identified vulnerable polling stations, storage of polled EVMs and VVPATs, counting of votes etc. will be videographed .
CCTVs will be installed at important Border Check Posts and Static Check Points for effective monitoring and surveillance.
The Commission has directed that Webcasting, CCTV coverage, Videography and Digital cameras will also be deployed inside critical polling booths and polling booths in vulnerable areas to closely monitor the proceedings on the poll day.
All-Women Managed Polling Stations
For greater participation of women in the electoral process, the Commission has also directed to set up ‘All- Women Managed Polling Stations’ in two polling stations for each Assembly Constituency. The entire polling staff, including the police and security personnel, will comprise of women.
Total 136 Women managed Polling Stations will be setup for the entire Himachal for the first time.
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs)
Along with use of electronic voting machine, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs) will be used
All the EVMs and VVATs stored in the district storage centre will be randomized by the District Election Officer (DEO) in the presence of the representatives of the recognized political parties for Assembly Constituency-wise allocation.
The second randomization of EVMs and VVPATs will be done at RO level before preparation of EVMs and VVPATs for polling station-wise allocation. This is done in the presence of Observer contesting candidates/their agents.
None Of The Above (NOTA)
This time there will be a NOTA button in EVMs and VVPATs in compliance with Supreme Court’s judgment.
On the Balloting Unit, below the name of the last candidate, there will now be a button for NOTA option so that electors who do not want to vote for any of the candidates can exercise their option by pressing the button against NOTA.
Ceiling of Election Expenses For Candidates
As per the revised ceilings, the maximum limit of election expenses for the Assembly Constituencies is Rs. 28 lakh per candidate for Himachal. All candidates are required to furnish their accounts of expenditure within 30 days of the declaration of results.
The Commission has also decided to appoint an adequate number of Expenditure Observers and Assistant Expenditure Observers who will exclusively monitor the election expenditure of the contesting candidates.
Paid News
To deal with the menace of ‘Paid News’, a mechanism has been laid out with three-tier Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMCs) at District, State, and ECI level. The revised comprehensive instructions on ‘Paid News’ are available on the Commission’s website.
Necessary instructions have been issued to the CEO of Himachal to ensure briefing of political parties and Media in the districts about ‘Paid News’ and the mechanism to check ‘Paid News’.
Monitoring of Electronic and Social Media
Various Social Media platforms will also remain under the close and stringent vigil of the Commission for any content aimed at vitiating the electoral process or designed to disturb peace, tranquility, social harmony and public order.
For identification of the voters at the polling booths, electors have been provided with EPIC.
In order to ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures in the Electoral Rolls, separate instructions will be issued to allow additional documents for identification of voters if needed. Now voters can also use the Adhaar Card as an additional document for establishing the identity of voters at the Polling Stations.
Photo Voter Slips
The Commission has said it has made substantial improvements in the size, design, and format of the Photo Voter Slip to enhance effectiveness in voter identification, awareness and guidance by increasing the size of the image.
The Commission has directed the Booth Level Officers to distribute the Photo Voter Slips the voter slip to the elector concerned only and not to any other person.
Voter Guide Brochure
Along with Photo Voter Slips, the voters will also be provided with a Voter Guide Brochure (in local languages). It will contain all the information about the date and time of polls, contact details of the BLOs, important websites, helpline numbers, documents required for identification at the polling station besides other important information including the Do’s and Dont’s for voters at the polling station.
Minimum Facilities (AMF) at Polling Stations
The Commission has upgraded the status of facilities at the Polling Stations from the earlier concept of Basic Minimum Facilities (BMF) to Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF).
The Chief Electoral Officers have been instructed to ensure that every Polling Station is equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) like drinking water, shed, toilet, and ramp for the physically challenged voters, a standard voting compartment etc. for the convenience and facilitation of voters.
All polling stations should be located at ground floor with the provision of sturdy ramps for the convenience of differently-abled electors with wheel-chairs.
The Commission has directed that all Persons With Disabilities (PwDs) in an Assembly Constituency are identified and tagged to their respective Polling Stations and necessary disability-specific arrangements made for their smooth and convenient voting experience on the poll day.
Identified PWDs will be assisted by volunteers appointed by RO/DEO. Differently-abled electors will be given priority for entering polling booths. The parking space will be arranged close to the entrance of polling premise and special care will be provided to electors with speech and hearing impairment.
Voter Assistance Booths (VAB)
Voter Assistance Booths will be set up for every polling station location, having a team of BLO/officials with the objective of facilitating the voter to
The mock poll was conducted in EVMs and VVPATs during the First Level Checking in the presence of the representative of Political Parties. The mock poll will also be conducted in the presence of candidates/their agents during the commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs.
Introduction of additional facility of E-Filing of Candidate Affidavits
The Commission has provided an additional facility for online submission (e-filing) of their Affidavit. The candidate can go online to ECI website (eci.nic.in) and can submit their affidavit online through any of the services of NIC or NSDL.
Candidate needs to take print out of the affidavit submitted online and then get it notarized and submit it to Returning officer (RO).
Law and Order, Security Arrangements, and Deployment of Forces
Based on the assessment of the ground situation, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and State Armed Police (SAP) drawn from other States will be deployed during these elections.
Election Expenditure Monitoring
Comprehensive instructions for the purpose of effective monitoring of the election expenditure of the candidates have been issued, which include the formation of Flying Squads (FS), Static Surveillance Teams (SST), Video Surveillance Teams (VST), the involvement of Investigation Directorates of Income Tax Deptt. etc.
The State Excise Departments and police authorities have been asked to monitor production, distribution, sale, and storage of liquor and other intoxicants (including narcotics) during the election process. The functioning and operations of the Flying Squads/Mobile Teams will be closely monitored using GPS Tracking.
For greater transparency and for ease of monitoring of Election Expenses, Candidates would be required to open a separate bank account and incur their election expenses from that very account.
New initiatives taken by the Commission to strengthen the Expenditure Monitoring mechanism
For the purpose of maintaining purity of elections, the Election Commission of India has issued the Standard Operating Procedure for Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Teams, constituted for keeping vigil over excessive campaign expenses, distribution of items of bribe in cash or in kind, movement of illegal arms, ammunition, liquor, or antisocial elements etc. in the constituency during election process.
Filing of part statement of Election Expenditure by Political parties in 30 days
The political parties will be required to file a part expenditure statement in respect of the lump sum payments made to the candidate, within 30 days after the declaration of results.
The recognized political parties will have to submit their accounts of election expenses with the Election Commission of India and the unrecognized political parties with the Chief Electoral Officer of the concerned State.
Final Accounts By Political Parties
All Political Parties sponsoring candidates for the Legislative Assembly elections are required to maintain day-to-day accounts of all election campaign expenses and submit the accounts to the Commission within 75 days of the completion of such elections. Such accounts will be uploaded on the website of the Commission for public viewing.
The Commission expects the media to play a positive, pro-active and constructive role in supplementing and facilitating the efforts towards the delivery of free, fair, transparent, participative, peaceful and credible elections.
Use of Social Media
The Commission has decided to enhance its interaction and involvement with all the stakeholders in the electoral processes by inducting the use of social media at the State as well as the District level.
Necessary instructions in this regards have been issued to Chief Electoral Officers of all States/UTs. The CEO and DEOs are expected to activate their official accounts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube for establishing a more interactive system.
Social Media Cells at CEO and DEO offices will professionally handle the Social Media and disseminate all the necessary information regarding voters’ awareness, pre-certification, MCC, etc.
Complaints received on this platform would be promptly responded to.
A single window system for giving election-related permissions/clearances within 24 hours has been created. In this system, Candidates and Political Parties can apply for permissions for Meetings, Rallies, vehicles, temporary election office, loudspeakers etc at a single location.
Brail EPIC and Brail Photo Voter Slips
To have inclusive elections, special provisions have been made for all differently abled electors. Brail EPIC and Brail Photo Voter Slips would be issued to all visually challenged electors. Queueless voting at all Polling Stations would be ensured for all differently abled electors.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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