India, Jan. 1 -- The January 2025 mayoral polls mirrored the turbulence of years past, delivering a shock result that defied numerical logic. Despite the AAP-Congress INDIA bloc holding a clear majority with 20 votes, their candidate Prem Lata was defeated by BJP's Harpreet Kaur Babla. The upset was triggered by three crucial cross-votes from within the alliance, allowing Babla to hit the magic number of 19. Coming on the heels of the 2024 Anil Masih controversy, the fiasco prompted the UT administration to scrap traditional secret ballot in favour of a "show of hands" for future polls. What it means: The shift is a direct attempt to instil transparency and eliminate horse-trading. By making every vote public, the administration aims to prevent the "internal sabotage" that has characterised the last two election cycles. What next: The first test of the "show of hands" method will occur in January 2026. While the new system ensures accountability, all eyes will be on whether the INDIA bloc can maintain internal discipline or if the open format creates new political frictions....