Punjab Govt issues fresh rules for election of Mayors, Deputy Mayors in Municipal Corporations
Babuhsahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 6, 2026: The Punjab Government has issued a new set of guidelines governing the election of Mayors, Senior Deputy Mayors and Deputy Mayors in municipal corporations across the state, introducing significant procedural changes that could influence local political equations following municipal elections.
The directions, issued by the Local Government Department under the provisions of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 and the Punjab Municipal Corporation Election Rules, 1991, lay down a uniform procedure for administering oaths to newly elected councillors and conducting elections for key municipal posts. The department has also directed all Divisional Commissioners to ensure strict compliance with the revised framework.
Under the new guidelines, the first statutory meeting of elected councillors will be convened in accordance with Sections 56 and 57 of the Act. The agenda and written notice of the meeting must now be delivered to the registered residential address of every councillor at least 72 hours in advance, making prior notification a mandatory legal requirement.
A key provision in the revised instructions relates to the role of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). As ex-officio members of municipal corporations, MLAs of the concerned assembly constituencies will be entitled to participate in the election process for Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor and exercise voting rights. In corporations that fall within more than one assembly constituency, all eligible MLAs will be permitted to vote.
The government has also clarified the oath-taking process for newly elected councillors. No councillor will be permitted to assume office, receive official benefits or participate in voting proceedings until taking the prescribed oath. The Divisional Commissioner, acting as convener of the first meeting, will administer the oath to elected members. Councillors unable to take the oath during the initial meeting may do so at a subsequent meeting, but will remain ineligible to vote until the oath is administered.
In another significant change, elections for the posts of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be conducted through an open show-of-hands vote rather than a secret ballot, as provided under the amended election rules. The move is expected to increase transparency and reduce the possibility of cross-voting during elections for municipal leadership positions.
The guidelines further clarify that where the office of Mayor is reserved for a specific category, only eligible members belonging to that category may contest. However, a councillor elected from a general ward will also be eligible to contest the reserved mayoral post if he or she belongs to the category for which the seat has been reserved.
The revised rules are expected to shape the formation of leadership in municipal corporations across Punjab and could have a significant impact on political strategies in the post-election period.