Punjab local body polls Updates: Clashes erupt between supporters of Congress, AAP, BJP and SAD; 45.60% till 2 pm

Punjab local body polls LIVE: Polling for the elections to the 103 municipal bodies, including eight municipal corporations, in Punjab got underway on Tuesday, 26 May.

Voting, being held using ballot papers, began at 8 am, and it will continue till 5 pm.

On Monday, the Supreme Court had junked a plea challenging the Punjab State Election Commission's decision of holding the polls for municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats through ballot papers.

Officials said elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure smooth, peaceful and transparent polling. Adequate security personnel have also been deployed at polling stations and sensitive locations to maintain law and order during the electoral process.

Counting of votes will take place on May 29.

45.60 per cent till 2 pm

The state recorded a voter turnout of 45.60 per cent till 2 pm in the local body elections, seen as the semi-final before the assembly elections next year.

Political workers clash at several places

Clashes involving supporters of Congress, AAP, BJP and SAD and allegations of booth capturing were reported at several places in Punjab during the civic elections on Tuesday, PTI reported.

Congress candidate from Ward number 4 in Raikot, Jagdev Singh Jagga was injured in an attack with sharp-edged weapons by a group of people. He was admitted to a private hospital in Ludhiana, officials said.

Cong candidate injured in Raikot attack; 31.6% voter turnout recorded till noon

A Congress candidate in Raikot was injured after he was allegedly attacked by a group of people with sharp-edged weapons, while polling for 103 municipal bodies in Punjab recorded a voter turnout of 31.6 per cent till 12 noon on Tuesday, officials said.

AAP Mohali candidate requests people for a ‘chance to serve them’

“I appeal to people to cast their votes. I am confident that the people will give us a chance to serve them,” said Sarabjit Samana, AAP candidate for Ward No. 42, Mohali.

‘Drugs are ruining families’ in Punjab: Honey Singh

Singer Yo Yo Honey Singh (Hirdesh Singh) met with BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh. He said, "Drugs are ruining families and youth in Punjab. Punjab must be saved from this."

BJP's Tarun Chugh said, "Yo Yo Honey Singh is a son of Punjab who has made a name for himself worldwide. I have requested Honey Singh to use his songs and words to motivate the youth of Punjab to give up drugs. He has promised me that we will save Punjab. If Honey Singh can make a comeback, so can you..."

Punjab Congress chief goes to cast on bullock cart

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and his wife travel by bullock cart to cast a vote for the local body polls.

Warring's wife says it was a symbolic protest against the price rise in the country.

Specially-abled man votes in Majitha

A specially-abled man in Majitha arrives to cast a vote for the Municipal Corporation elections.

People queue up to vote

Voters were seen queuing up at many polling booths in the morning to exercise their franchise.

Punjab Cabinet ministers Aman Arora and Harjot Singh Bains urged voters to cast their votes.

Top political leaders in state cast vote

Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma cast his vote at a polling booth in Pathankot, while AAP MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi cast his vote in Batala.

Keen eye ahead of 2027 polls

These local body polls are being keenly watched by political observers ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

The local body elections are being seen as crucial for all major political parties -- Aam Aadmi Party, Bhartiya Janata Party, Congress and SAD - as these are taking place ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly polls.

For Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, the elections today is a referendum of sorts as the Bhagwant Mann government will seek re-elecrion next year. For Congress, BJP and SAD, the elections would be a litmus test ahead of assembly polls.

Polling in 1,896 wards

Polling is taking place in 1,896 wards of the municipal bodies, which include eight municipal corporations of Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala, and Pathankot, 75 municipal councils and 20 Nagar Panchayats, officials said.

7,555 candidates in fray

A total of 7,555 candidates are in the fray for the civic bodies elections in the state.

Ruling party AAP has fielded the maximum number of candidates at 1,801, followed by 1,550 candidates of the Congress, 1,316 nominees of the BJP, 1,251 candidates of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and 96 nominees of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Besides, there are 1,528 Independent candidates for the local body elections.

A total of 1,613 candidates are fighting in 396 wards of eight municipal corporations.

In 75 municipal councils, 5,142 candidates are contesting in 1,282 wards, while 800 candidates are in the fray in 218 wards of 20 Nagar Panchayats.

There are 35,45,567 registered voters for these municipal bodies, which include 17,11,635 women and 220 others.

A total of 740 polling booths have been declared sensitive and 275 hyper-sensitive.

Around 35,000 election personnel and 32,000 police personnel have been deputed on election duty.

Punjab state holiday

The Punjab government has declared a holiday in the state on May 26 to facilitate voters to cast their votes. This holiday will also apply to all Punjab government offices, boards, corporations, and educational institutions situated in Chandigarh.