Punjab’s civic body elections recorded an estimated voter turnout of 61.5 percent on Tuesday, but the polling process was marred by violence, political clashes, and allegations of bogus voting and booth-capturing in several districts across the state.
The local body elections are considered politically significant because they are taking place just ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections next year. Major political parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), treated the civic polls as an important test of public support before the larger electoral battle.
Despite the intense summer heat, large numbers of voters reached polling booths across towns and cities in Punjab to cast their votes. Election officials stated that the turnout figure may slightly change after final reports are submitted by returning officers from different constituencies.
However, the elections also witnessed multiple incidents of unrest. In Raikot, a Congress candidate named Jagdev Singh Jagga was reportedly attacked by a group armed with sharp-edged weapons. He sustained injuries and was admitted to a private hospital in Ludhiana for treatment. The incident created tension in the area and triggered political reactions from rival parties.
Another violent incident was reported from Barnala, where the husband of BJP candidate Deepinder Kaur allegedly came under attack after he raised concerns about fake voting. Reports stated that a heated argument escalated into violence, during which he was assaulted and his turban was forcibly removed. He also suffered injuries and had to be shifted to a hospital.
Tensions further escalated in Muktsar district’s Gidderbaha area, where supporters of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal reportedly clashed during polling in multiple wards. Political workers from both sides accused each other of intimidation and disrupting the voting process.
Following the clashes, the Shiromani Akali Dal filed a complaint with the Punjab State Election Commission against AAP MLA Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon and several others. The party accused them of booth-capturing, intimidation, and assault during polling and demanded strict legal action, including the registration of an FIR.
In Patiala district’s Samana town, clashes between supporters of rival political parties led to a chaotic situation during voting in Ward Number 19. According to officials, angry groups allegedly pelted stones at police personnel after tensions spiraled out of control. To disperse the crowd and restore order, police carried out a cane charge. Polling in the affected area was temporarily suspended before normalcy returned.
Similar disturbances were also reported in Amritsar’s Majitha area, where supporters of the AAP and SAD allegedly engaged in heated confrontations during polling. Police forces were deployed to control the situation and prevent further violence.
The incidents have once again highlighted concerns about political tensions and electoral violence during local body polls in Punjab. Opposition parties accused the ruling establishment of attempting to influence voting through intimidation, while ruling party leaders countered the allegations and blamed rival groups for provoking unrest.
Election authorities maintained that security arrangements had been strengthened across sensitive areas and that strict action would be taken wherever violations were found. Police officials stated that they were closely monitoring the situation and reviewing complaints related to clashes and allegations of bogus voting.
Political analysts believe the outcome of these civic elections could influence the political atmosphere ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The performance of major parties in municipal wards and local bodies is likely to shape campaign strategies and alliances in the months to come.
Even as voting concluded with a relatively high turnout, the violence and allegations surrounding the elections have sparked fresh debates about election security, political rivalry, and law-and-order challenges in Punjab.
