Panel issues directions to ensure fair Bar council poll

The high-powered election committee of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana Chandigarh has issued strict directions to ensure fair and free election of the Bar council. The election for members of council is scheduled to be held in January 2026.

As per the revised schedule, the polling at high court and districts courts, Chandigarh, will be held on January 29, 2026, while the polling will be held on January 30, 2026, at all district, sub-divisional headquarters of Punjab and Haryana.

The guidelines have been issued in the election committee meeting held on November 26 under the chairmanship of Justice Ranjit Singh (retd), Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The committee has decided that no instructions issued by any office-bearer of the bar council regarding the conduct of elections shall be entertained by the staff of the council. Justice Jaishree Thakur (retd) of the high court has been appointed the returning officer. The committee has noticed that around 15 advocates had been appointed as assistant returning officers (AROs) by the council. The committee has not examined the eligibility or competence of these advocates and has therefore decided to keep their approval pending.

The committee has decided that the chairman of the bar council may sign enrolment certificates, but shall not issue any certificate to newly enrolled advocates. No other office-bearer or member shall issue such certificates. Direction has also been issued that no candidate shall display posters, flexes, banners, or similar materials at any public place.