The elections for the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council will be held in March 2026. Voting in Chandigarh will take place on March 17, followed by district-level elections on March 18.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Dr. Sumita Mishra, has directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to make the necessary administrative and logistical arrangements for the smooth conduct of the elections. The Bar Council’s Returning Officer has requested the deployment of Revenue Department officials to oversee and manage the voting process.
Bar Council elections are held every five years under the provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961. The current process is being expedited to comply with a Supreme Court order dated December 3, 2025, with the aim of ensuring the continuity of democratic governance within the statutory body that regulates the legal profession.
State authorities have emphasized strict adherence to the prescribed schedule and procedures to facilitate a transparent and orderly electoral process. All DCs have been instructed to ensure the timely preparation of the voting schedule, compilation of voter lists, identification of polling stations, and arrangement of necessary infrastructure and materials.
Special attention will be given to security arrangements and real-time monitoring of the voting process.
