From now on, Chandigarh’s Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor will now be elected through a show of hands instead of the earlier secret ballot method, according to the latest amendment brought by Punjab Governor and Administrator of the Union Terrritory of Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria.

Kataria has approved an amendment to Regulation 6 of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Procedure and Conduct of Business) Regulations, 1996, through which these office bearers will now be elected through a show of hands instead of the secret ballot method which was in place earlier.

Sharing this information, Kataria stated that the new system will bring greater transparency in the election process and make the role of elected representatives more clear and accountable. He expressed hope that this change will help improve the functioning and governance of the Municipal Corporation and will further strengthen trust in democratic processes.

Here it is to be noted that this amendment was first passed in the House meeting of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh. It was proposed under the legal powers granted by Section 398(2) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 (as extended to the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the Chandigarh UT Act, 1994). Following this, the proposal was sent to the administrator for approval, which has now been formally granted.

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