Punjab’s municipal body elections concluded on Tuesday with an estimated 61.5 per cent voter turnout till 5 pm, as polling was held across 1,896 wards in eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats.
The State Election Commission deployed nearly 35,000 polling staff and 32,000 police personnel to ensure peaceful elections.
The polling day witnessed scattered incidents of violence and tension in several districts. In Raikot, Congress candidate Jagdev Singh Jagga was injured after being allegedly attacked with sharp-edged weapons while heading to his booth. He was admitted to a private hospital in Ludhiana. The incident triggered political reactions, with Congress leaders alleging deterioration in law and order.
In Barnala, the husband of a BJP candidate was injured during a clash over allegations of fake voting. In Samana, police resorted to a lathi charge after clashes broke out between groups near polling stations, leaving several people injured. Reports of stone-pelting and scuffles were also received from parts of Patiala and Moga, where police intervened to restore order.
Despite isolated incidents, polling remained largely peaceful in most urban local bodies, with voters turning up in large numbers, especially in the morning hours to avoid heat. Elderly voters and women were seen participating actively at several booths across districts.
By 5 pm, several districts reported moderate to high turnout. Nawanshahr recorded around 60.22 per cent, Ferozepur 58.8 per cent, Ludhiana around 60.3 per cent, while Patiala’s key towns Nabha and Patran crossed 64–65 per cent. In Amritsar and other urban centres, polling figures remained around 50–60 per cent.
Opposition parties, including SAD and Congress, alleged incidents of voter intimidation, booth irregularities, and lack of basic facilities such as wheelchairs and drinking water at some polling stations. In Khanna, Congress leaders also staged protests over alleged missing names in voter lists and alleged interference by ruling party workers.
A total of 7,555 candidates are contesting. The ruling AAP has fielded 1,801 candidates, followed by Congress with 1,550, BJP with 1,316, Shiromani Akali Dal with 1,251, and BSP with 96 candidates. In addition, 1,528 independent candidates are also in the fray.
The polls are being viewed as an important political test ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Counting of votes will take place on May 29, when results for all municipal bodies will be declared.
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