AAP Dominates Punjab Local Body Elections with Victories in Over 900 Zones

Chandigarh:

The counting process for Punjab's zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections was in progress on Wednesday, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claiming victories in over 900 zones while maintaining leads in numerous others. Officials indicated that complete results would be available by late evening.

Ballot counting commenced at 8 am across 154 designated centers throughout the state.

The elections were conducted on December 14 to select members for 347 zones across 22 zila parishads and 2,838 zones within 153 panchayat samitis.

AAP Punjab president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora stated that the results declared thus far strongly favor AAP. He noted that current results and trends reflect public support for the Punjab government's policy directions.

In the zila parishad race, 71 zones have reported results, with AAP securing 60 zones, Congress winning seven, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP claiming one each, and independents taking two zones, according to Arora.

"Approximately 85 percent of results announced so far show support for AAP," he asserted.

Regarding panchayat samitis, Arora reported that of the 1,875 zones with declared results, AAP candidates emerged victorious in 867 zones, representing roughly 68 percent. Congress secured 216 zones, SAD won 129, independents claimed 63, and the BJP obtained 20.

Arora further mentioned that AAP maintains leads in 113 zila parishad zones and 257 panchayat samiti zones. "This demonstrates a one-sided electoral environment. Village residents have endorsed AAP's good governance," said Arora.

During the election day, a voter participation rate of 48 percent was recorded, with more than 9,000 candidates competing.

Earlier Wednesday in Patiala, SAD workers alleged being denied entry to a counting center on the Patiala-Nabha road. SAD leader Jaspal Singh claimed that Rahul Saini, son of Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, was present inside the counting center while opposition representatives were refused entry.

Opposition leaders called for immediate intervention from election authorities to ensure transparent counting procedures, stating that "continued interference" would undermine public confidence in the democratic process.

At University College, Ghanaur, during the Shambhu block count, former MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur alleged that incumbent MLA Gurlal Singh Ghanaur entered the counting center without proper authorization.

Jalalpur claimed that despite possessing valid passes, he and his counting agents were prevented from entering, while the MLA was permitted inside.

He alleged that police officers at the location failed to intervene despite multiple complaints.

Candidates from all major political parties—AAP, Congress, SAD, and BJP—contested the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections under their respective party symbols.

On December 14, Congress and SAD accused AAP of engaging in "blatant electoral malpractices" during voting. Previously, they had criticized the Bhagwant Mann government for allegedly using governmental machinery to prevent their candidates from filing nomination papers and causing rejections.