Punjab Local Body Elections: Counting Begins Amidst Political Tensions

Election Counting Commences in Punjab

The counting of votes for the elections of 103 urban local bodies, including eight municipal corporations in Punjab, commenced today at 8 AM. The elections for these eight corporations, along with 75 municipal councils and 20 municipal panchayats, took place on Tuesday, May 26. The eight municipal corporations involved are Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala, and Pathankot. A total of 7,555 candidates contested in these elections.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fielded the highest number of candidates at 1,801, followed by Congress with 1,550, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 1,316, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) with 1,251, and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with 96 candidates. Additionally, there were 1,528 independent candidates participating in the local body elections. Officials reported that approximately 64% voter turnout was recorded in Punjab's urban local body elections, which were marred by incidents of violence, stone-pelting, clashes, attacks on political workers, and allegations of booth capturing. These local body elections are considered crucial for all major political parties, including AAP, BJP, Congress, and SAD, as they precede the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for 2027.

Results of Punjab Local Body Elections

AAP: 215 seats

Congress: 85 seats

Independents and Others: 84 seats

SAD: 71 seats

BJP: 15 seats

Faridkot Municipal Council Election Results

In the Faridkot Municipal Council, Congress is leading in four wards, while AAP and an independent candidate are ahead in one ward each. The counting process is still ongoing.