Chandigarh, May 29
Counting of votes for the Punjab civic body elections continued on Friday with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party maintaining a lead in several wards across the state.
The counting process began at 8 am under tight security arrangements for elections held across 102 municipal bodies in Punjab. The polls covered eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils, and 19 nagar panchayats. Voting took place on May 26 via ballot papers, with a voter turnout of 63.94 percent.
According to officials, the AAP has secured the most wards so far. Congress candidates remained in second place, followed by the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Officials said AAP candidates have won 201 wards so far, while Congress has secured 55. Shiromani Akali Dal candidates have won 61 wards, while BJP nominees have won 11.
The local body elections witnessed participation from 7,554 candidates across Punjab. Out of them, 80 candidates were elected unopposed before polling day.
AAP also performed strongly in key regions during the counting process. In the Gidderbaha municipal council, the party won 13 out of 19 wards. The area is considered a stronghold of Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. In Anandpur Sahib, AAP candidates won 11 out of 13 wards.
Officials said special security and monitoring arrangements were put in place at all counting centers. Two micro observers were deputed at each counting venue under the supervision of district level general observers. Entry inside counting halls was restricted to authorized personnel only.
The civic polls are being viewed as an important political test ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled next year. During the election campaign, opposition parties accused the AAP government of misusing official machinery, allegations that added to the political intensity surrounding the polls.
With counting still underway, the results are expected to shape the political narrative in Punjab in the months leading up to the Assembly elections.
