The three-tier Panchayat election process in Uttarakhand is progressing uninterrupted. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand High Court, Nainital, hearing a PIL related to the elections, has passed an important interim order concerning voters with names in multiple electoral rolls.
On July 11, 2025, the High Court stayed the July 6 circular issued by the State Election Commission, which allowed individuals to vote and contest in Panchayat polls even if their names were also listed in urban voter rolls. The court observed that this circular violated Sections 9(6) and 9(7) of the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act, under which anyone whose name appears in more than one voter list (rural and urban) is ineligible to vote or contest Panchayat elections.
However, the court made it clear that there is no stay on the overall Panchayat election process. Consequently, the allocation of election symbols by the State Election Commission is continuing without hindrance.
The Election Commission has urged all candidates and voters to adhere to the legal provisions to ensure free, fair, peaceful, and lawful elections.
