Keylong, May 14
District Election Officer (Panchayat) and Deputy Commissioner Lahaul-Spiti Kiran Bhadana have issued orders banning the sale, distribution, and serving of alcohol in the district during the upcoming Panchayati Raj Institutions General Elections 2026 to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling.
According to the schedule announced, the panchayat elections in Lahaul-Spiti will be held on May 26, May 28, and May 30, 2026. Counting of votes for posts of Pradhan, Up-Pradhan, and Gram Panchayat members will take place at the respective polling stations on the same day, while counting for Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad members will be held on May 31, 2026, at 9 am in the examination hall of Government Senior Secondary School, Keylong.
Invoking powers under Section 158-R of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the Deputy Commissioner ordered a complete prohibition on liquor sale and consumption within polling areas from 48 hours before the end of voting till the completion of counting. The restriction will apply to hotels, dhabas, restaurants, catering units, liquor shops, and all public and private establishments.
The order will be enforced in phases across different panchayat areas, including Tindi, Tingret, Trilokinath, Mouring, Nalda, Goharma, Ranika, Kardang, Muling, Darcha, Koksar, Keylong, Salgran, Chimret, Udaipur, Thirot, Junda and Job.
Officials said the move is aimed at maintaining law and order and ensuring smooth conduct of the election process in the tribal district.
