As Punjab held crucial municipal elections, Arvind Kejriwal, the National Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), encouraged people in the state to vote, emphasizing the importance of voting in shaping the future and well-being of families. The elections, covering 1,896 wards in eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils, and 20 nagar panchayats, are significant politically with the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections in early 2027.
Kejriwal, in a social media post, stressed the significance of voting, stating, “I request all voters to definitely exercise their right to vote in the ongoing municipal elections in Punjab. Your vote is your strength in democracy… It resolves your small and big problems and determines the well-being of your entire family.” Over 35 lakh voters were eligible to cast their votes until 5 P.M., with electors turning up early at polling stations even before the official start at 8 A.M.
To ensure a peaceful voting process, the State Election Commission deployed approximately 32,000 police personnel and nearly 35,000 election staff across Punjab. The eight municipal corporations where polling took place include Abohar, Mohali, Moga, Bathinda, Barnala, Batala, Kapurthala, and Pathankot. The elections witnessed a total of 7,555 candidates vying for positions, with major parties like AAP, Congress, BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal, and others fielding candidates.
The electorate comprised 18,33,712 male voters, 17,11,635 female voters, and 220 voters registered under the “other” category. Prior to the elections, the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation challenging the use of ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for polling. The court upheld the Election Commission’s decision, stating that the shift to ballot papers was not illegal, despite being done administratively.
