Sources said the SEC plans to hold the elections on December 14. The final notification may come any time. These polls are long overdue, and many villages want elected representatives to restart development work that has stalled for months.

Political parties have already begun strategy discussions. They want to focus on issues such as poor roads, pending panchayat funds, water supply problems, and support for farmers. Many potential candidates have started meeting voters in their villages to build early momentum.

The SEC has also instructed district officials to ensure peaceful voting. It aims to increase surveillance at sensitive polling stations. The Commission will deploy micro-observers in priority areas to strengthen transparency. Voter awareness drives will start next week to boost turnout across rural regions.

With the schedule almost final, Punjab now prepares for a crucial round of local body elections. The results will shape rural leadership and development priorities for the next five years.

The post Punjab Zila Parishad Panchayat Polls Scheduled appeared first on India Podcast.

SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said the AAP government misused its authority during the campaign. He added that the party sent several written complaints to the EC and its observers.

Cheema thanked the EC for shifting two DSPs, removing one SHO, and suspending the SSP. He said the state government still targeted SAD workers. According to him, local leaders and traders received threats to support the AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu.

Cheema said the police detained several SAD leaders on polling day. He added that officers also raided many homes that day. He claimed he informed the SSP, the returning officer, and the chief electoral officer about these incidents.

After the results, Cheema said the police filed fresh FIRs against several SAD leaders and arrested many of them. He pointed to FIR No. 0261, lodged on November 15 at Police Station City, Tarn Taran.

Cheema said the party earlier filed a complaint with evidence against officers who followed the candidate’s daughter in a private car with a fake number plate. He claimed the police ignored that complaint and instead booked the complainants. He said officers arrested leaders such as Nachattar Singh on November 15.

SAD urged the ECI to order an independent inquiry into all FIRs filed after the bypoll results.

The post EC Summons Punjab DGP Over Tarn Taran Bypoll FIR Row appeared first on India Podcast.

Bittu said the BJP does not want to carry the Akali Dal’s “drug and sacrilege taint.” The party, he added, is confident of contesting the 2027 Assembly elections independently. “We fought the 2022 Assembly polls, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and all bypolls on our own. We will do it again,” he stated.

The minister also said that votes are not a concern as the BJP’s support base is growing in Punjab. He emphasized that the party’s main focus is on speeding up development projects across the state.

When asked about state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar’s statement supporting a possible alliance, Bittu dismissed it as a personal view.

Commenting on Panjab University protests, Bittu said the Senate election dates will be announced soon. He accused the state government of ignoring its financial duties towards the university and said academic standards had dropped.

In the future, the BJP aims to strengthen its Punjab development mission and build a solo election strategy for 2027.

The post BJP to fight 2027 Punjab polls alone, says Ravneet Bittu appeared first on India Podcast.

Badal said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had already “admitted defeat” by filing false cases against the SAD candidate’s daughter and workers. In Ram Rauni, she urged people to back the Dharmi Fauji family known for social service, while criticizing AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu.

Harsimrat claimed all Delhi-based parties, including Congress and AAP, were working against Punjab’s interests. She accused the Congress of breaking promises on loan waivers and AAP of denying jobs, compensation, and law and order.

Calling the Tarn Taran by-poll a battle between truth and lies, she said SAD was the only party that stood by farmers during floods and distributed certified wheat seed for 1 lakh acres. Badal also reminded women of AAP’s unfulfilled ₹1,000-per-month promise.

The post Harsimrat Kaur Badal Urges Tarn Taran Voters to Back ‘Own Regional Party’ appeared first on India Podcast.

In a formal memo, the DEOs reminded officers of earlier instructions from the CEO. They must now follow the CEO’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages. The purpose is to spread verified voter education content, ensure uniform messaging across districts, and increase public awareness about elections.

BLO Supervisors and BLOs have also been directed to submit proof of compliance. District offices must compile the data and send one verified report to the CEO, Punjab, by September 29.

Officials explained that this move is part of a stronger digital outreach. By engaging BLOs, who work directly with voters, the election office wants to extend its reach, promote authentic information, and stop misinformation.

The DEOs have made it clear that these instructions are mandatory for all officers linked with voter education work.

The post Punjab DEOs Direct BLOs to Follow CEO Social Media for SVEEP appeared first on India Podcast.

On Monday, electoral registration officers sent letters to schools, colleges, and government departments. These letters instructed them to relieve Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) and Supervisory Officers on September 16–17. The officers will verify voter records and check constituency-level lists.

Senior officers said the work involves field checks and timely reporting. Constituencies created after 2003 need fresh data since they were not part of earlier rolls. Officials stressed that the task must be completed quickly to ensure readiness.

District teams have already begun comparing records and compiling the information. Once complete, they will forward the updated rolls to the state election office.

Even though the CEO’s office labeled earlier reports as speculative, ground-level action shows Punjab is moving in step with states like Bihar. The revision aims to create accurate voter rolls and ensure smooth elections in the coming years.

The post Punjab Starts Special Intensive Revision of Voter Lists appeared first on India Podcast.

Balbir Singh Sidhu, who previously represented Rajpura, said the Congress Party’s vision for Punjab motivated him to return. Inderjit Singh, who earlier worked with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), stated that he believes Congress is better positioned to serve the people of Punjab.

The entry of these two leaders is seen as a boost for the Congress in the Rajpura region. Local workers expressed hope that their experience will strengthen the party’s presence ahead of upcoming political challenges.

Observers believe that Congress is trying to rebuild its base in Punjab by bringing back known faces and attracting leaders from other parties. With Balbir Singh Sidhu and Inderjit Singh joining, the party is expected to gain more influence in Rajpura politics.

The post Punjab: Former Rajpura MLA Joins Congress appeared first on India Podcast.