Punjab rural body polls: 48% turnout as counting begins for zila parishad
Punjab rural body polls: 48% turnout as counting begins for zila parishad
Counting starts in Punjab's rural body polls after a 48% turnout, with 9,000+ candidates contesting across zila parishads and panchayat samitis amid allegations of malpractices.
Counting of votes for the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections in Punjab began on Wednesday amid tight security arrangements. Polls were held to elect members of 347 zones of 22 zila parishads and 2,838 zones of 153 panchayat samitis on December 14. A voter turnout of 48% was recorded in the daylong polling, with over 9,000 candidates in the fray. Counting of ballot papers started at 8 a.m. at centres set up across the State.
Candidates from all major political parties — the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and the BJP — contested the zila parishad and panchayat samiti polls on party symbols. On December 14, opposition parties Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal had accused the ruling AAP of indulging in blatant electoral malpractices during the polling. They had also alleged that the Bhagwant Mann government used government machinery to hinder nomination filings and disqualifications.
As the counting proceeds, the results are expected to influence local governance across Punjab. Analysts say the outcome could reshape local power dynamics in several districts, with voters hoping for transparent and effective administration at the grassroots level. The day’s atmosphere remained cautious, with security tightened at counting centers and election officials ensuring ballot integrity.
