Punjab civic polls record 63.94 pc turnout amid clashes and violence

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Chandigarh, May 26

Punjab recorded 64.94 pc voter turnout on Tuesday in municipal elections marked by violence, political clashes and allegations of booth capturing in several districts. Mohali recorded 55.44 percent voter turnout in elections to seven urban local bodies

The local body polls, viewed as an important political test ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, saw supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) involved in confrontations at multiple locations.

In Raikot, Congress candidate Jagdev Singh Jagga was injured after being attacked with sharp weapons by a group of men. He was admitted to a private hospital in Ludhiana. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring blamed the Bhagwant Mann-led government for what he described as a breakdown in law and order.

In Barnala, the husband of BJP candidate Deepinder Kaur was assaulted after a dispute over alleged bogus voting. Officials said he suffered injuries and was taken to hospital.

Clashes were also reported in Gidderabha, where SAD and AAP supporters confronted each other during polling. The SAD later submitted a complaint to the State Election Commission, accusing AAP leaders of intimidation and booth capturing.

In Samana, tensions escalated after stone-pelting during an altercation, forcing police to use batons to disperse crowds. Voting was briefly suspended before resuming. Similar clashes between AAP and SAD workers were reported in Majitha in Amritsar district.

Polling began at 8 am across 1,896 wards in eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 Nagar Panchayats. More than 7,500 candidates contested the elections, with AAP fielding the highest number.

Despite the incidents, voters, including elderly residents and women, turned out in large numbers during the morning hours to avoid the heat. Security remained tight, with thousands of police and election officials deployed across the state.

The counting of votes will take place on 29 May.