Ballot days over, a show of hands now to decide fate of MC elections
Chandigarh: In a move that could dramatically reshape the city's political landscape, Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has approved a game-changing amendment to the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Procedure and Conduct of Business) Regulations, 1996.
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Starting with the 2026 mayoral elections, the mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor will be elected not by secret ballot — but by a show of hands.
"This change will strengthen democratic processes and make elected representatives more accountable," Kataria said while sharing the late-evening development.
Since the municipal corporation's inception in 1996, mayoral elections have been conducted via secret ballot, a system that has often led to cross-voting, party defections, and behind-the-scenes deals.
The new method will make every vote visible and traceable, reducing the scope for manipulation.
An official communication from the Chandigarh administration said this amendment was first passed in the house meeting of the MC. "It was proposed under the legal powers granted by Section 398(2) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 (as extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the Chandigarh UT Act, 1994).
The proposal was then sent to the administrator for approval, which has now been formally granted," the administration said.
Earlier this year, Kataria had directed the deputy commissioner's office to draft an amendment in applicable law to allow voting by a show of hands instead of the previous system of secret ballots. Following this, deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav sent the proposal to higher officers for consideration.
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Cong, AAP welcome move
Congress and AAP have welcomed the decision to allow voting in the mayoral elections by a show of hands. "We thank the administrator for this bold step. The Chandigarh Congress and MP Manish Tewari have been constantly demanding this. This will pave way for cleaner politics and will help enhance the image of the Chandigarh municipal corporation and its councillors, who have constantly faced charges of horse trading," said Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky.
Lucky further demanded implementation of the anti-defection law in the MC.
AAP Chandigarh president Vijaypal Singh said this historic step will ensure greater transparency, accountability, and integrity in the functioning of the municipal corporation. The move will not only act as a check on corruption, but will also ensure that no elected representative can betray the trust of their voters.
2024: A Turning Point
The push for reform gained momentum after the controversial mayoral election in 2024, when Anil Masih, a nominated councillor and presiding officer, was caught on camera invalidating eight votes cast for AAP-Congress alliance candidate Kuldeep Kumar.
The Supreme Court later called it a "murder of democracy", overturned the results, and declared Kumar the rightful winner—marking the rise of Chandigarh's first non-BJP, non-Congress mayor.
This scandal not only triggered nationwide outrage but also led to a resolution in October 2024, passed by the MC House under then mayor Kuldeep Kumar, demanding open voting in future elections.
2025: Cross-Voting Strikes Again
Despite the Supreme Court refusing to intervene in January 2025, the BJP managed to clinch the mayoral seat through cross-voting, gaining support from three opposition councillors. The current Mayor, Harpreet Kaur Babla, won under this cloud of controversy and lacks a clear majority.
It's advantage for Cong-AAP
With the Congress-AAP alliance now holding a majority in the 36-member House, the new voting method could tilt the balance of power in their favour, making future cross-voting nearly impossible.
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