Chandigarh mayor election system has changed ahead of the 2026 civic polls to ensure transparency and accountability. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation will now conduct the mayoral election through a show of hands instead of secret ballots. Authorities scheduled the voting for January 29.
The new method follows controversy during the 2024 mayor election, which reached the Supreme Court. That dispute raised serious concerns about vote invalidation and procedural fairness. Officials decided to overhaul the process to restore public trust.
The election will cover the posts of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor. The nomination process will begin on January 22. Officials prepared a detailed schedule under the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, and related regulations applicable to Chandigarh.
Under the new rules, councillors must clearly raise their hands to cast votes. Officials will count votes through visual verification and verbal confirmation. The administration will record every step in official registers and meeting minutes.
Authorities will conduct uninterrupted video recording of the entire process. They will preserve the footage for at least 90 days. Media coverage and live feeds will remain allowed.
Councillor Dr. Ramneek Singh Bedi will serve as the Presiding Authority. He is not a candidate. Security rules will restrict entry to authorised persons only.
