Voting for 347 district council zones and 2,838 block committee zones was held on December 14, with a voter turnout of around 48 percent. Candidates from AAP, Congress, SAD, and BJP contested these crucial grassroots-level elections.

According to early trends, AAP is leading in 18 district councils and has taken a commanding lead in nearly 400 block committee seats. SAD and Congress are trailing, with both parties leading in around 60 block committees each. As AAP consolidates its position, a tough contest is emerging between Congress and SAD for the second spot.

Several candidates were elected unopposed earlier, while counting continues for remaining seats. In total, results for 347 district council and 2,838 block committee seats will be declared. More than 9,000 candidates are in the fray, with their political future being decided at counting centres across Punjab.

The results are seen as a major test for all parties ahead of upcoming Assembly and parliamentary elections.

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In Malout, vote counting had not begun till the latest update, with Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur present at the counting centre. Patiala witnessed chaos even before counting started, as BJP workers accused police of blocking polling agents and alleged counting began without proper representation. Similar scenes unfolded in Ludhiana, where candidates were reportedly forced out of the KVM School counting centre, leading to protests.

Counting progressed smoothly in Pathankot, where votes for 93 Block Samiti and 10 Zila Parishad seats are being tallied under strict police arrangements. In Amritsar, strong rooms were opened and counting began across 26 tables, with first-round results expected within an hour. Talwandi Sabo also reported a peaceful start to counting.

Statewide, 154 counting centres have been set up at 141 locations. Over 10,500 staff and 141 micro-observers have been deployed to ensure transparency. Results will decide 347 Zila Parishad and 2,838 Block Samiti seats, seen as a political semi-final ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

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According to the Commission, polling at the identified booths was cancelled after scrutiny of reports submitted by district authorities. The fresh voting process began on December 16, while the results of the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections will be declared as scheduled on December 17.

The re-polling is being conducted under tight security to ensure transparency and smooth conduct. Election officials have been deployed in large numbers, and observers are closely monitoring the process to prevent any further discrepancies.

Fresh voting is taking place at polling stations in Amritsar’s Attari zone, Barnala district’s Raisar village, Gidderbaha subdivision in Muktsar district, Gurdaspur, and Bhogpur in Jalandhar. These areas were flagged due to complaints ranging from wrong ballot papers to polling-related irregularities.

The State Election Commission has reiterated that strict action will be taken against officials found guilty of negligence. The Commission also assured voters that the democratic process would be safeguarded and that every valid vote would count in the final results announced on December 17.

Polling Locations for Re-polling:
Amritsar (Attari zone booths), Barnala (Raisar village, Booth No. 20), Muktsar (Babania and Madhir villages – 4 booths), Gurdaspur (Chahian village), Jalandhar (Bhogpur – Booth Nos. 4 and 72

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The dispute began after 42 villages were removed from Samana block and merged with Patran block. In protest, residents of five villages had announced three months ago that they would not vote for any political party. They stood firm on election day and stayed away from polling booths.

The villages that enforced the boycott are Bhedpuri, Dodra, Kotli, Sahajpura Kalan and Sahajpura Khurd. Booth numbers 159 to 163 were set up in these areas. Together, the villages have 3,858 registered voters, but polling officials confirmed zero turnout. Polling staff remained present throughout the day despite the boycott.

Villagers Gurmeet Singh and Gurdip Singh said their villages earlier fell under Samana block. After being shifted to Patran block, residents now have to travel nearly 35 kilometres for official work. They said repeated memorandums submitted to authorities brought no relief.

Angered by the lack of response, villagers chose to boycott the elections. They also warned that if the issue remains unresolved, they will continue to boycott future elections.

SDM Samana Richa Goyal said the villagers’ demand has been forwarded to senior officer and the matter is under consideration at the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Patiala level.

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Despite isolated incidents, the Commission stated that elections across Punjab remained largely peaceful. Voting concluded smoothly for 347 zones of 22 Zila Parishads and 2,838 zones of 153 Panchayat Samitis. Officials confirmed there were no casualties or major clashes during polling.

However, the Commission found serious lapses at certain booths. It ordered fresh voting to ensure transparency and voter confidence.

In Amritsar district, re-polling will take place in Block Samiti Attari. This includes Zone 08 Khassa at booths 52, 53, 54, and 55. Zone 17 Warpal Kalan will also see fresh voting at booths 90, 91, 93, 94, and 95.

In Barnala district, re-polling is scheduled at Block Samiti Channanwal, Zone 04, village Raeesar Patiala, booth number 20.

Sri Muktsar Sahib district will witness re-polling at village Babania, booths 63 and 64, and village Madheer, booths 21 and 22, in Block Kot Bhai, Gidderbaha.

In Gurdaspur, fresh polling will occur at village Channian, polling station 124. Jalandhar district will also see re-polling at booth 72, Panchayat Samiti Bhogpur, Zone 4.

Re-polling will take place on 16 December 2025 from 8 AM to 4 PM. Officials will count votes on 17 December 2025 along with the general counting.

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Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla chaired a virtual meeting with CPs, SSPs and Range DIGs, directing them to mobilise at least 75% of district police personnel for election duty. Security has been strengthened with strict surveillance of anti-social elements, regular flag marches, and robust inter-state and inter-district checkpoints.

Officials confirmed that 18,718 polling booths have been set up at 13,395 polling stations, including 860 highly sensitive and 3,405 sensitive locations. Over 44,000 police personnel will be deployed for smooth polling, supported by continuous patrolling in vulnerable areas.

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Kler met ADGP (Law and Order) SPS Parmar in Chandigarh. After the appearance, he told reporters that the Shiromani Akali Dal wants a fair investigation so that the truth reaches the public. Earlier, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal accused senior Patiala officers of acting at the behest of the ruling AAP and conspiring to stop rival candidates.

Badal had shared the audio on X on December 4. Patiala Police rejected the allegations and called the clip a fake, AI-generated recording created to mislead citizens and disturb law and order. The police registered an FIR at the Patiala Cybercrime Police Station.

Kler had also filed a complaint with the State Election Commission, demanding the suspension of officers named in the alleged conference call. Police summoned Kler after noting that he appeared to possess the original digital clip needed for the investigation.

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The nomination phase has triggered major controversy. Congress has accused the government of deliberately delaying the issuance of NOCs to its candidates. Party chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that BDPO offices remain unmanned, preventing Congress candidates from obtaining required documents. The Election Commissioner has issued a notice to the Derabassi BDPO for absence from duty.

The BJP has alleged misuse of government machinery, claiming that some returning and police officers are working under pressure from the ruling AAP government. A BJP delegation met State Election Commissioner Rajkamal Chaudhary, demanding impartiality and mandatory videography of the entire election process.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has accused ruling party workers of tearing nomination papers and held a protest in Bhikhiwind.

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Meanwhile, tension escalated in Khanna on Tuesday when Congress candidates arrived at the BDPO office to obtain NOCs required for filing nominations. Congress leaders alleged that no officials were present, no documents were checked and no NOCs were issued. The situation heated up as angry Congress workers staged a protest and confronted the BDPO, accusing officials of deliberately creating hurdles.

Congress candidate Satnam Singh Soni warned that if NOCs are not issued on time, they will block roads, lock the BDPO office and may even resort to extreme steps. Another leader, Gurvinder Singh Isdu, said they will take the matter to the Election Commission to ensure fair action.

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He stated that winning the 2027 elections would be difficult without an alliance. “If you want to win the 2027 assembly election, you will have to build your cadre, but it will take two to three elections,” he said. Amarinder Singh added that partnering with SAD remains the most practical route for the BJP to gain ground in the state.

The BJP and SAD had a long-standing coalition until the Centre’s controversial farm laws created a major rift. SAD withdrew support in solidarity with protesting farmers, who later compelled the government to repeal the laws. Singh believes reuniting could strengthen both parties ahead of the upcoming polls.

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