Counting of votes for municipal elections is underway in Punjab

Voters arrive at polling stations to cast their votes during the Punjab municipal elections in Mohali on May 26, 2026 | Photo credit: ANI

Counting of votes for the Punjab civic body elections began at 8 am on Friday (May 29, 2026) amid tight security, officials said.

Elections to 102 municipal bodies in eight municipal corporations – Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala and Pathankot – along with 75 municipal councils and 19 Nagar Panchayats were held using ballot papers on May 26 and recorded a turnout of 63.94%.

A total of 7,554 candidates are in the fray for the local body elections, which are considered crucial for all major political parties in Punjab – AAP, BJP, Congress and SAD – in the run-up to next year’s assembly polls.

Officials said two micro-observers have been deputed for each enumeration center to work under the direct supervision of the chief observer for that district.

Entry to the counting hall will be restricted to authorized persons only, they said.

Earlier, the opposition parties accused the AAP government of misusing the official machinery during the elections. The civic polls are seen as a litmus test for the ruling party hoping to retain power in the state.

Published – 29 May 2026 10:17 IST