At loggerheads with the Himachal Pradesh government over the upcoming Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections, scheduled in January 2026, State Election Commissioner Anil Kumar Khachi said he never witnessed “such a situation regarding Panchayat elections in his over three-decade-long bureaucratic career”. In an interview with The Indian Express, Khachi, a 1986-batch former IAS officer of the Himachal cadre, sought the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government’s “unconditional support” to conduct the elections within the prescribed time frame. Before being appointed as the SEC in August 2021, Khachi served as the chief secretary from January 20, 2021, to August 2022 during the previous BJP government.
Excerpts:
Q: How would you describe the current scenario: a communication gap, a crisis, or unwillingness on the part of the state government to conduct panchayat elections?
A: I won’t call it a crisis. We never were in a crisis. Elections, whether parliamentary, Assembly, or panchayat, are a constitutional process. Nobody can create hurdles, obstruct or stop this process. That said, I believe the situation the State Election Commission is currently facing has never arisen in Himachal, at least to the best of my knowledge. At the same time, I reiterate we have not run out of time. We still have time to meet the constitutional deadline for holding panchayat elections. There might have been instances where elections in some panchayats or local bodies were halted due to litigation, but the entire process was never affected.
Q: The CM says the SEC must follow the Cabinet-approved delimitation decision, but two days ago, you issued a notification barring the delimitation process.
A: There are several matters which fall under the purview of the state government and many under the SEC, but one thing is clear: panchayat elections can only be conducted through the joint efforts of both institutions. Panchayat elections are a two-way process — neither the state government nor the SEC can do everything alone. I do not want to comment on the state government’s decision, but the SEC needs their unconditional support. The SEC notification falls entirely within the ambit of the Constitution of India.
Q: Could you explain what you mean by the state government’s unconditional support?
A: The SEC is almost ready to conduct elections, but we require some clarifications from the state government. First, the reservation roster. If we are to hold elections, we must have clarity on the reservation roster for panchayats, which falls under the government’s purview. Ballot papers — an administrative matter — can be prepared very quickly. Second, if the government concludes that the disaster situation has subsided, it must withdraw the order restraining Deputy Commissioners from undertaking election-related work. These are, in my view, the two main constraints currently holding back the conduct of elections. When I use the term “unconditional support,” I am referring specifically to these two points. Other issues can be sorted out anytime.
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Q: If the panchayat elections are delayed, will it reflect on you?
A: I have already made it clear that the SEC cannot conduct elections single-handedly. We need the state government’s support, which is why I am seeking their unconditional support. The Governor of Himachal Pradesh is the constitutional head. As for the commission’s preparedness, voter lists for 3,548 out of 3,577 gram panchayats and all 70 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have been completed. The remaining 29 gram panchayats, where the compilation work is underway, will have their final voter lists ready by December 1.
Q: Are you satisfied with the state government’s response?
A: This is not about my personal satisfaction. Instead of asking me, you can look at the impression the SEC is getting from the government, based on the orders and notifications issued by this office.
Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting.
Professional Background
Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters.
Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India.
Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh:
1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth.
2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025).
3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025)
4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025)
Legal & Agricultural Affairs
"Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned.
"Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur.
3. Governance & Environment
"Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act.
"Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters.
Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc:
crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023)
Signature Beats
Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs.
X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar
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