Chandigarh, May 3 -- The Chandigarh mayoral elections in 2026 will be conducted through a show of hands instead of secret ballots-a significant change prompted by the vote-rigging scandal from 2024 polls, and persistent demands from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress for a greater transparency in the electoral process.

In February, UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria had directed the Deputy Commissioner's office to draft an amendment in applicable law to allow voting by a show of hands instead of the previous system of secret ballots.

Deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav said the proposal for amendment in Punjab Municipal Act was ready and will be sent to the UT administrator for final approval.

"The amendment is aimed at prevent...