CHANDIGARH — Voting for the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council elections commenced on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, marking the first time the polls are being held in eight years. Although the election for this constitutional body is mandated every five years, the current cycle faced a significant delay.
The Bar Council serves as the primary regulatory body for the legal profession in the region, responsible for issuing licenses to advocates and adjudicating disputes between lawyers and their clients. Notably, the Chairman of the Council is entitled to a government vehicle equipped with a red light.
Key Highlights of the 2026 Election
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Historic Gender Reservation: Following a landmark order from the Supreme Court, this election marks the first time female lawyers have been granted 30% reservation in the Council.
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The Candidates: Out of the 157 candidates vying for a seat, 53 are women. The current 25-member Council consists of 18 male and 5 female members.
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Ex-Officio Members: The Advocate Generals of both Punjab and Haryana serve as nominated members of the Council.
Voting Schedule and Logistics
The election is being conducted over two days to accommodate the massive voter base of 1,14,758 lawyers.
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Day 1 (March 17): Voting is currently underway (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) for lawyers based in Chandigarh. Polling booths have been established at:
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Punjab and Haryana High Court
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District Courts, Chandigarh
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Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT)
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Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)
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Total Voters for Day 1: 17,540 lawyers.
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Day 2 (March 18): The election will expand across the two states. Lawyers in Punjab and Haryana will be able to exercise their franchise at their respective district or tehsil court complexes.
The introduction of the 30% quota for women is seen as a progressive shift in the traditionally male-dominated statutory body, ensuring greater representation in the decision-making processes governing the legal community in North India.
