A delegation from the Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, urging his intervention over what it described as an arbitrary, hasty and unlawful process of ward delimitation for municipal corporations and municipal councils across the state. The delegation was led by the party’s state working president, Ashwani Sharma, and included senior office-bearers who argued that the exercise, as it stands, risks undermining democratic representation at the grassroots.According to the memorandum, the delimitation process has been initiated without adequate transparency or stakeholder consultation, raising concerns about whether statutory norms and constitutional principles are being followed. The party alleged that draft notifications were issued with limited public notice and insufficient time for objections, potentially excluding elected representatives, civil society groups and residents from meaningful participation. The delegation maintained that such procedural shortcuts could have lasting consequences for urban governance.
Ward delimitation determines the boundaries and composition of electoral wards in urban local bodies, directly shaping how citizens are represented in municipal decision-making. Legal provisions require that population data, administrative convenience and geographical continuity be considered, alongside opportunities for objections and revisions. The BJP delegation claimed these safeguards were either diluted or ignored, creating room for errors and political bias.
In its submission, the party argued that the timing of the exercise was particularly problematic, with municipal elections expected in the coming months. Any flaws in delimitation, it said, could lead to disputes, litigation and delays in the electoral process. The delegation urged the governor to examine whether the state government had adhered to due process and to ensure that corrective steps were taken before elections were notified.
Ashwani Sharma told the governor that delimitation carried out in haste risked distorting voter representation, especially in rapidly growing urban centres where population shifts need careful assessment. He said that ignoring ground realities or compressing procedural timelines could weaken public confidence in local institutions. The memorandum also flagged concerns about the use of outdated or inadequately verified population figures, which could skew ward sizes and electoral balance.
The state government, for its part, has maintained that the delimitation exercise is being conducted within the legal framework and is necessary to reflect demographic changes. Officials have said that aligning ward boundaries with population data is essential to ensure equitable representation and efficient civic administration. They have also pointed out that delimitation is a routine administrative exercise undertaken periodically across states.
Political observers note that ward delimitation often becomes contentious because of its potential impact on electoral outcomes. Even when carried out strictly by the book, the redrawing of boundaries can advantage or disadvantage particular groups or parties, making transparency and consultation critical. In Punjab, where urban local bodies play a key role in delivering services and implementing development projects, the stakes are especially high.
Legal experts say that governors, while largely acting on the aid and advice of elected governments, have a constitutional responsibility to ensure that laws and procedures are followed. Seeking the governor’s intervention is a political signal, highlighting concerns about process rather than policy. Any formal response could range from seeking clarifications from the government to advising adherence to prescribed timelines and consultation norms.
The BJP memorandum also called for the release of detailed ward maps and demographic data to the public, arguing that access to information is essential for informed objections. It suggested that extending the period for feedback would reduce the risk of future disputes and strengthen the legitimacy of the exercise. Party leaders said their demand was not to stall delimitation indefinitely but to ensure it was carried out lawfully and fairly.