WARD COUNCILORS TO DETERMINE THE EMPOWERED STANDING COMMITTEE ELECTION ANNOUNCED

WARD COUNCILORS TO DETERMINE THE EMPOWERED STANDING COMMITTEE ELECTION ANNOUNCED

5-APRIL-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA--------------------------In a move aimed at ushering in unprecedented improvements and transparency in the functioning of urban local bodies in Bihar, Deputy Chief Minister—who also holds the portfolio of Urban Development and Housing—Mr. Vijay Kumar Sinha has initiated a highly significant measure. Under a decision taken by the government, members of the Empowered Standing Committee—the most influential unit within urban local bodies—will no longer be selected through nomination; instead, they will be chosen by elected Ward Councilors via a secret ballot. This step is being hailed as a major reform aimed at making local self-governance more democratic, transparent, and accountable.

The most salient feature of this new electoral process is its impartiality. The entire election procedure will be conducted under the direct supervision, direction, and control of the District Magistrate, thereby eliminating the possibility of bias at any stage. The District Magistrate has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing official notification regarding the venue and time to all Ward Councilors at least one week prior to the date of voting.

The rules governing the electoral process have been defined with utmost clarity. Separate ballot boxes will be provided for each vacant position, marked sequentially as numbers one, two, and three. To uphold the standards of transparency, each Ward Councilor will be permitted to file a nomination for only one vacancy. Immediately upon the conclusion of the voting process, the ballot boxes will be opened in the presence of the Councilors, and the candidate securing the highest number of votes will be declared the winner immediately following the vote count.

According to a departmental notification, this electoral exercise is scheduled to be completed across all urban local bodies in every district of Bihar between April 15, 2026, and April 20, 2026. As soon as the election results are declared, the newly elected members will be administered the oath of office and secrecy to ensure that there is no delay in the commencement of developmental activities.

To preserve the integrity of this process, the government has made videography mandatory. All documents and video footage related to the election will be preserved until the next general election, or—in the event of any pending judicial proceedings—until such proceedings are resolved. Furthermore, the District Magistrate has been granted full authority to depute Assistant Election Officers and other necessary personnel for the conduct of the election. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has clarified that, through the Bihar Municipalities (Amendment) Act, 2026, this arrangement has now been accorded permanent status. The legal enactment of this measure—following the expiration of the previously issued ordinance—underscores the government's unwavering commitment to good governance. The primary objective of this amendment is to further empower and enhance the accountability of the Standing Committee, thereby ensuring the active participation of all councilors in the policy decisions undertaken at the level of municipal bodies.

Key Highlights of the Election Process: Members of the committee shall be elected by the elected Ward Councilors through a secret ballot, based on a simple majority. The District Magistrate shall notify all Ward Councilors regarding the venue and time of the election at least one week in advance Ward Councilors to Now Determine the Empowered Standing Committee; Election Announced

Patna. In a move aimed at ushering in unprecedented improvements and transparency in the functioning of urban local bodies in Bihar, Deputy Chief Minister—who also holds the portfolio of Urban Development and Housing—Mr. Vijay Kumar Sinha has initiated a highly significant measure. Under a decision taken by the government, members of the Empowered Standing Committee—the most influential unit within urban local bodies—will no longer be selected through nomination; instead, they will be chosen by elected Ward Councilors via a secret ballot. This step is being hailed as a major reform aimed at making local self-governance more democratic, transparent, and accountable.

The most salient feature of this new electoral process is its impartiality. The entire election procedure will be conducted under the direct supervision, direction, and control of the District Magistrate, thereby eliminating the possibility of bias at any stage. The District Magistrate has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing official notification regarding the venue and time to all Ward Councilors at least one week prior to the date of voting.

The rules governing the electoral process have been defined with utmost clarity. Separate ballot boxes will be provided for each vacant position, marked sequentially as numbers one, two, and three. To uphold the standards of transparency, each Ward Councilor will be permitted to file a nomination for only one vacancy. Immediately upon the conclusion of the voting process, the ballot boxes will be opened in the presence of the Councilors, and the candidate securing the highest number of votes will be declared the winner immediately following the vote count.

According to a departmental notification, this electoral exercise is scheduled to be completed across all urban local bodies in every district of Bihar between April 15, 2026, and April 20, 2026. As soon as the election results are declared, the newly elected members will be administered the oath of office and secrecy to ensure that there is no delay in the commencement of developmental activities.

To preserve the integrity of this process, the government has made videography mandatory. All documents and video footage related to the election will be preserved until the next general election, or—in the event of any pending judicial proceedings—until such proceedings are resolved. Furthermore, the District Magistrate has been granted full authority to depute Assistant Election Officers and other necessary personnel for the conduct of the election. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has clarified that, through the Bihar Municipalities (Amendment) Act, 2026, this arrangement has now been accorded permanent status. The legal enactment of this measure—following the expiration of the previously issued ordinance—underscores the government's unwavering commitment to good governance. The primary objective of this amendment is to further empower and enhance the accountability of the Standing Committee, thereby ensuring the active participation of all councilors in the policy decisions undertaken at the level of municipal bodies.

Key Highlights of the Election Process: Members of the committee shall be elected by the elected Ward Councilors through a secret ballot, based on a simple majority. The District Magistrate shall notify all Ward Councilors regarding the venue and time of the election at least one week in advance. Separate ballot boxes (numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.) shall be provided for each vacant position. A Ward Councilor shall be eligible to file a nomination for only one vacancy. Immediately upon the conclusion of voting, the ballot boxes shall be opened and the votes counted in the presence of the councilors; the candidate securing the highest number of votes shall be declared the winner.Separate ballot boxes (numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.) shall be provided for each vacant position. A Ward Councilor shall be eligible to file a nomination for only one vacancy. Immediately upon the conclusion of voting, the ballot boxes shall be opened and the votes counted in the presence of the councilors; the candidate securing the highest number of votes shall be declared the winner.