The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has officially set in motion the electoral process to choose the city's next mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor for the year 2026. The civic body's secretary has formally written to the UT Deputy Commissioner, Nishant Kumar Yadav, requesting him to finalize a date for the election meeting, marking the start of the final year's proceedings for the current 2022-2026 House.
Urgent Timeline and Legal Mandate
The current mayor's tenure is set to expire on January 29, 2026, making it imperative for the entire election process to be completed before this deadline. Under the Municipal Corporation Act, 1994, the UT Deputy Commissioner is the prescribed authority for conducting these elections. The MC secretary's letter emphasizes that only the Deputy Commissioner is competent to fix the date for the election meeting and to nominate a presiding officer.
The presiding officer must be a councillor who is not contesting for any of the three posts. Once the Deputy Commissioner confirms the date, the Municipal Corporation will issue formal notices to all councillors, inviting nominations for the prestigious positions.
Nomination Procedure and Category Reservation
The election for the 2026 term holds particular significance as it will be the fifth and final year of the present municipal corporation. The post of mayor for this term is reserved for a candidate from the general category. The procedural roadmap is clearly laid out in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Procedure and Conduct of Business) Regulations, 1996.
As per Regulation 6(2), every candidate must submit a nomination paper in the prescribed Form I. This document must be signed by the candidate and supported by two other members of the corporation, who will act as proposer and seconder. Nominations must be delivered to the municipal secretary between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and must be submitted at least three clear days before the scheduled election meeting.
A Historic Shift in Voting Method
This election cycle is poised to make history with a major procedural change. For the first time in the history of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, the mayoral election will be conducted through a show of hands, abandoning the previous system of secret ballot voting.
In light of this significant change, the Chandigarh administration has begun comprehensive preparations, keeping in view the provisions of the relevant Act and guidelines. Sources indicate that UT Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav is expected to visit the MC assembly hall next week to review arrangements and hold discussions with municipal officials before giving final shape to the election process.
The upcoming elections mark a crucial democratic exercise for the city's civic body, concluding the five-year term that began in 2022. All eyes are now on the Deputy Commissioner's office for the announcement of the election date, which will formally kickstart the campaign season.
