Chandigarh's mayoral election process will change next year. Councilors will vote by raising their hands in favor of a candidate instead of using secret ballots. A draft proposal has been prepared and will soon be submitted to the Administrator for approval.
Chandigarh Mayor Election: A significant change is underway in the election process for the Mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. Previously, councilors cast their votes via secret ballot. However, the new draft proposes that councilors will publicly vote by raising their hands in favor of their chosen candidate. This change aims to enhance transparency in the election process and curb the controversies surrounding cross-voting that have occurred annually.
Draft Prepared, Proposal to be Sent to the Administrator
This new draft has been prepared by the DC office under the instructions of Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria. The draft will soon be submitted to the Administrator for approval. According to the proposal, councilors will be required to raise their hands in favor of a candidate while voting, making their votes publicly visible.
Secret Ballot Voting Since 1997
Until now, the mayoral elections have employed a secret ballot system, which has often been exploited through cross-voting. For instance, this year's election saw three instances of cross-voting, leading to the victory of BJP candidate Harpreet Kaur Babla. The opposition parties, Congress and AAP, objected, but the identities of those who engaged in cross-voting remain unknown.
Raising Hands Increases Councilor Accountability
The process of passing proposals in the house has already been based on a majority vote through a show of hands. This same system will now be implemented in elections. This will increase the accountability of councilors to their political parties and deter vote-buying. This system is also expected to curb political manipulation and bribery.
Plans to Extend Term Length
The administration is considering not only changing the voting process but also extending the mayor's term from one year to two and a half years. However, this requires approval from the Lok Sabha, which may lengthen the process. Currently, in Chandigarh, the Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor each serve a one-year term.
