early times report
Chandigarh, Dec 26: The elections to the Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana will be held in March 2026. Polling in Chandigarh will take place on March 17, 2026, followed by district-level elections across Haryana on March 18, 2026.
Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Jails, Criminal Investigation and Administration of Justice Departments, Dr. Sumita Misra, has directed all Deputy Commissioners to put in place the necessary administrative and logistical arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections across the state. The Returning Officer of the Bar Council has sought the deployment of officials from the Revenue Department to supervise and manage the polling process. Instructions will be issued to all Deputy Commissioners for timely deployment and coordination.
The Bar Council elections are conducted every five years under the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961. The current exercise is being expedited to comply with the order of the Supreme Court of India dated December 3, 2025, aimed at ensuring continuity of democratic governance within the statutory body regulating the legal profession.
State authorities have emphasized strict adherence to the prescribed schedule and procedures to facilitate a transparent and orderly electoral process. All Deputy Commissioners have been directed to ensure timely preparation of polling schedules, compilation of voter lists, identification of appropriate polling stations, and arrangement of necessary infrastructure and materials required for conducting the elections. Special attention will be given to security arrangements, voter facilitation measures, and real-time monitoring of the polling process to address any challenges that may arise. The administration is committed to providing full cooperation to the Returning Officer and ensuring that every eligible advocate can exercise their voting rights in a conducive environment.
Dr. Sumita Misra stated that the Haryana Government views this responsibility with the utmost seriousness and remains steadfastly committed to upholding the highest standards of election conduct. The state's proven administrative capabilities and experience in conducting various electoral exercises will be leveraged to make the Bar Council elections a model of efficiency, transparency, and fairness. |
