Chandigarh Set for Crucial Mayoral Election Today
The city of Chandigarh is poised to elect its next Mayor on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in what promises to be a closely watched political event. The election features a three-cornered contest among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Congress, with each party fielding independent candidates for the first time since the current Municipal House was constituted in 2022.
Key Candidates and Political Dynamics
The Congress has nominated Gurpreet Singh Gabi as its candidate for the Mayor's post, while the AAP has put forward Yogesh Dhingra. The BJP, on the other hand, has fielded Saurabh Joshi. With no pre-poll alliances in place, the outcome is expected to hinge on the numerical strength of the parties in the House, along with the possibility of cross-voting, adding an element of unpredictability to the proceedings.
In addition to the Mayor's election, the contests for Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor have also garnered significant attention. For the Senior Deputy Mayor position, the BJP has nominated Jasmanpreet Singh, the AAP has fielded Munawar Khan, and the Congress has named Sachin Galav. The Deputy Mayor's election, however, will see a four-cornered race, featuring:
- Suman (BJP candidate and former AAP councillor)
- Jaswinder Kaur (AAP nominee)
- Nirmala Devi (Congress candidate)
- Ramchandra Yadav (Independent candidate and AAP councillor who filed his nomination after not being named by the party)
Election Process and Voting Mechanism
The election process is scheduled to commence at 11 am on January 29, with the Mayor's election being held first. There remains a possibility of nomination withdrawals before voting begins. If no withdrawals occur, the Mayor and Senior Deputy Mayor elections will be three-cornered, while the Deputy Mayor election will involve four candidates.
A significant change in this year's election is the adoption of open voting by show of hands, as per a notification issued by the Chandigarh Administrator. This marks a departure from previous years, where voting was conducted through a secret ballot. The shift was introduced following controversies during the 2024 mayoral election, with the stated aim of enhancing transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Composition of the House and Vote Requirements
The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh comprises 35 elected councillors, and the city's Member of Parliament is also entitled to vote, bringing the total number of voters to 36. To be elected Mayor, a candidate must secure at least 19 votes. Currently, the BJP holds 18 councillors, the AAP has 11, and the Congress has six, setting the stage for a tight and competitive election.
Political Strategies and Internal Challenges
While the Congress has appealed to councillors to vote according to their conscience, the AAP is grappling with internal dissent, particularly with Ramchandra Yadav contesting as an Independent. Party sources indicate that efforts are underway to persuade him to withdraw, though no decision had been announced as of late Wednesday evening.
Political observers note that discussions on a potential Congress-AAP alliance did not progress beyond the exploratory stage. Both parties have chosen to contest independently, aligning with their respective political strategies, especially in the context of Punjab politics. However, speculation about informal understandings persists, particularly after Congress councillors were seen as proposers for the Independent candidate during the nomination process.
Administrative Preparations and Legal Aspects
The Chandigarh Administration has confirmed that all arrangements for the election are in place. Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav reviewed the preparations with senior officials of the Municipal Corporation on Wednesday, focusing on:
- Law and order arrangements
- Preparedness of the election venue
- Deployment of officials
- Security measures
- Inter-departmental coordination
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that all statutory provisions and prescribed guidelines must be strictly followed to ensure the election is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. Officials have been instructed to remain alert and responsive to any situation that may arise during the election process.
In a related development, a petition filed by AAP Mayoral candidate Yogesh Dhingra, seeking the appointment of an independent observer by the High Court to oversee the election, was disposed of by the Court on Wednesday. The results of the mayoral election will be declared after the completion of voting on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in Chandigarh's municipal governance.
