Punjab Local Body polls on Sunday recorded a low voter turnout of just 48 percent during the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections, amid scattered incidents of violence, booth capturing and polling irregularities. This marks the lowest turnout in recent rural body elections in the state.
According to official data, turnout dropped sharply compared to previous years. In 2018, rural polls had seen 58.1 percent voting, while in 2013 the figure stood at 63 percent. Of the 1.36 crore eligible voters, less than half exercised their franchise this time.
The State Election Commission (SEC) ordered a repoll at 16 polling booths across several districts. These include booths in Attari, Muktsar, Barnala, Jalandhar and Gurdaspur. Reasons cited ranged from wrong election symbols and incorrect ballot papers to booth capturing and a shocking incident in Chahian village where a presiding officer allegedly fled with the ballot box. Repolling will take place on December 16, with results scheduled for December 17.
At least six people were injured in clashes between workers of rival political parties. FIRs have been registered in some cases. The SEC has sought detailed reports from deputy commissioners and promised strict action wherever lapses are confirmed.
Opposition leaders blamed voter intimidation and erosion of trust in the democratic process for the low turnout. The ruling AAP, however, dismissed the allegations and said declining participation in rural polls has been a long-term trend.
