The elections, conducted under the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Rules, 1994, were supervised by Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Mukesh Repswal. All 18 elected Zila Parishad members cast their votes.

Congress-backed Rekha Thakur from Bayana ward was elected chairperson after securing 10 votes, defeating BJP-supported Meenakshi Kapoor of Jiyunta ward, who polled eight votes.

In an equally close contest for the vice-chairperson’s post, Congress-backed Liaqat Ali Khan from Sarol ward also secured 10 votes to defeat BJP-backed Sunil Dutt of Gahra ward, who received eight votes.

Following the declaration of results, DC Mukesh Repswal administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected chairperson and vice-chairperson. He congratulated the new leadership and expressed hope that the Zila Parishad would work collectively to accelerate the district’s development. The victory triggered celebrations among Congress workers across the district.

Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania termed the outcome a major political achievement for the Congress, saying it reflected the confidence reposed by the people of Chamba in the party, the state government and its welfare-oriented policies. He said the Congress had performed strongly in the Panchayati Raj Institution elections and expressed confidence that the new leadership would ensure balanced and people-centric development.

District Congress Committee president Surjeet Bharmouri described the result as a resounding mandate and credited it to the unity of party workers. Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayar said the verdict would strengthen grassroots democracy and provide fresh momentum to rural development works.