The city of Chandigarh is set to witness a pivotal political contest on January 29, 2026, as councillors gather to elect the Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor. This year's election marks a significant departure from tradition, as it will be conducted through a show-of-hands voting system for the very first time in the city's history, replacing the secret ballot.
A Neck-and-Neck Battle: How the Numbers Stack Up
The election is shaping up to be a direct and intensely close contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the alliance of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress. The municipal house, along with one ex-officio vote from the sitting MP, has a total of 36 votes. To secure the mayor's post, a simple majority of 19 votes is required.
Currently, the arithmetic presents a deadlock. The BJP's strength stands at 18 votes, a figure bolstered by the recent defection of two AAP councillors to its side. The rival AAP-Congress camp also commands 18 votes, comprising 11 AAP councillors, 6 Congress councillors, and the ex-officio vote of sitting MP Manish Tewari. This perfect balance sets the stage for a high-stakes battle where every single vote becomes crucial.
Why the Shift to a Show-of-Hands Vote?
The decision to move away from secret ballots to an open, show-of-hands method is a direct consequence of the 2024 vote-rigging controversy. In that incident, the then-presiding officer, Anil Masih, was caught on camera allegedly tampering with ballot papers. To ensure transparency and prevent any such malpractice, the administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav, has introduced new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
As per the SOPs, councillors must clearly raise their hands when their choice is called out. The votes will be counted through visual verification and verbal confirmation. The entire process will be meticulously documented, with a register of votes maintained and minutes recorded. Furthermore, the proceedings will be video-recorded and preserved for at least 90 days to serve as an indisputable record.
Candidates and the Electoral Process
For the 2026 term, which is the final year of the current municipal corporation's five-year cycle (2022-2026), the mayor's post is reserved for the general category. The tenure of the current mayor concludes on January 29 itself, necessitating the completion of the election process before that deadline.
While official candidate lists are yet to be announced, political circles are abuzz with potential names. The BJP is reportedly considering Maheshinder Singh Sidhu, Saurabh Joshi, Kanwarjit Rana, or Anoop Gupta. From the AAP-Congress alliance, names like Gurpreet Singh Gabi, Yogesh Dhingra, and Damanpreet Singh are being discussed.
The electoral meeting will be presided over by the Returning Officer, Dr. Ramneek Singh Bedi, a nominated councillor. His mandate, under Section 60(a) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, is to ensure the election is conducted strictly in accordance with the law and the newly established procedures.
As the date approaches, all eyes are on Chandigarh. This election is not just about who will lead the city's civic body for the next year, but also a test of the new transparent voting mechanism designed to restore faith in the democratic process at the municipal level.
