What happens when 98,000 lawyers vote in the same place over three days?
The Bar Council of Delhi Elections 2026 — the most consequential vote in Delhi's legal fraternity in recent memory — kicks off on 21st February at the Delhi High Court. With 221 candidates fighting for just 23 seats, a first-ever "Know Your Candidates" initiative, and a Supreme Court-mandated election process, this is one bulletin you cannot afford to skip.
About the Bar Council of Delhi
The Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) is an autonomous statutory body constituted under the Advocates Act, 1961. Established pursuant to Section 3 of the Act, its first elected body came into existence in January 1961, at a time when the Delhi Bar had approximately 3,000 enrolled advocates. Today, the BCD stands as the largest Bar Council in India, with over 2,00,000 advocates on its Roll.
Key Functions of the BCD: The BCD enrols advocates on its roll; maintains professional standards and discipline; safeguards the rights, privileges and interests of advocates; promotes legal education and law reform; provides legal aid; and conducts elections for its own governance.
The BCD has published the Final Electoral Roll for the 2026 elections. The electoral roll for this election stands at approximately 98,300 eligible voters. This is a historic milestone, reflecting the massive growth of the Delhi legal fraternity over six decades.
Know Your Candidates — A Historic Transparency Initiative
In a landmark first for any Bar Council election, the Returning Officer and Election Committee have launched the "Know Your Candidates" initiative. This initiative circulates brief profiles of every candidate contesting the BCD 2026 elections, containing details of their professional background, experience at the Bar, involvement in Bar Association activities, and their vision for the legal fraternity.
This initiative:
• Empowers voters to make informed choices
• Promotes transparency and accountability in the electoral process
• Ensures a level playing field among all candidates
Access the full "Know Your Candidates" document here: https://delhibarcouncil.com/assets/Election_2026/Know_Your_Candidate.pdf
For all election-related information, visit the official BCD website: www.delhibarcouncil.com
The Returning Officer has issued the following official instructions to all voters:
1. Voting shall take place at the High Court premises on 21st, 22nd, and 23rd February, 2026, from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM.
2. Male Advocates enrolled up to year 2005 and ALL Female Advocates: Entry from Gate No. 3 | Exit from Gate No. 4.
3. Male Advocates enrolled from year 2006 onwards: Entry from Gate No. 7 | Exit from Gate No. 5.
4. No female voter shall enter from Gate No. 7.
5. A BCD Identity Card is the primary acceptable ID. If unavailable or expired, a Bar Association of Delhi card along with a Government ID (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter Card, or Driving Licence) is acceptable.
6. No mobile phones, cameras, smart watches, or similar devices shall be allowed on the premises. There shall be frisking at the entry gates. Voters must keep gadgets in their own safe custody.
7. As per the Model Code of Conduct, no outsiders, interns, or clerks (except candidates and voters) will be allowed in the area around the High Court of Delhi.
8. No voter is allowed to loiter or roam inside or near the polling premises.
9. No voter shall carry any campaign material, badges, pamphlets, or banners in the restricted area.
10. Sher Shah Suri Marg shall be fully blocked for vehicular traffic. Parking is available at the National Stadium (from Gate No. 5A) and the Zoo Parking.
11. Buses shall ply from all five District Courts: Rohini, Dwarka, Saket, Tis Hazari, and Karkardooma. Buses from Rohini, Tis Hazari, and Karkardooma will drop voters at Sher Shah Suri Road – Mathura Road T-Point.
12. Buses from Saket and Dwarka will drop voters at the end of Sher Shah Suri Marg on the India Gate side. Buses shall also be available from Mandi House Metro Station and Supreme Court Metro Station.
13. E-rickshaws will be available from both ends of Sher Shah Suri Marg for persons with difficulty in walking, and also in the parking area of National Stadium to bring voters to Gate No. 3.
14. Wheelchairs will be available at both ends of Sher Shah Suri Road (Mathura Road side and India Gate side) for Physically Challenged / Needy Persons.
15. Water facility has been provided by the Delhi Government at Entry Gate No. 7 and Entry Gate No. 3.
16. After receipt of the Voter Slip, a voter must immediately collect the Ballot Paper, cast the vote, and leave the voting area to avoid overcrowding.
17. Vote counting shall commence on 25th February 2026 at the Delhi High Court and continue until all 23 members are elected.
Download the "Instruction to the Voters" Circular:
FICL urges all eligible advocates enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi to exercise their democratic right and cast their vote.
Your vote shapes the future of the legal profession in Delhi.
Disclaimer: This bulletin has been prepared by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Lawyers (FICL) for informational purposes only, based on official communications and publicly available information issued by the Bar Council of Delhi. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, FICL does not warrant the completeness or currency of the information contained herein. For the most current and authoritative information, including updates to the voter list, candidate profiles, and election schedule, members are advised to visit the official Bar Council of Delhi website at www.delhibarcouncil.com or contact the office of the Returning Officer directly.
