Sporadic incidents of violence marred elections to five municipal corporations and 44 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Punjab on Saturday.
Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alleged casting of fake votes at the behest of the Aam Aadmi Party at many places in Patiala, a charge denied by the ruling party.
There were also reports of scuffles and heated exchanges between AAP and BJP supporters in Patiala.
Among political leaders who exercised their franchise were BJP’s Tarun Chugh, Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Ludhiana MLA Ashok Prashar and Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh.
BJP leader Jai Inder Kaur alleged that some outsiders were roaming around in Patiala, demanding police action against them.
BJP candidate from Ward No. 34 in Patiala, Sushil Nayyar, threatened to self-immolate after alleging that fake votes were being cast at a polling booth.
After Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh reached the spot, Kaur and BJP supporters were seen arguing with the officer, claiming that some people were being allowed to enter polling booths without proper verification and they were casting fake votes.
“Nobody was stopping them. And who is responsible for it,” asked a BJP supporter.
“Videography of polling is taking place,” the SSP responded.
Earlier, Kaur, daughter of former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, alleged that AAP MLAs Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Gurlal Ghanaur were outsiders to Ward No. 40 yet they were present in the area.
The party also lodged a complaint against Jauramajra and Gurlal with the state election commission, seeking registration of an FIR against the duo for violating model code of conduct.
The BJP also claimed some miscreants targeted its party nominee from Ward No. 40 at AAP’s behest.
Even SAD claimed that its booth in Ward No. 15 in Patiala was vandalised.
The BJP also sought registration of an FIR against Mani Warring, brother of AAP MLA Garry Warring, and AAP supporters for alleged bogus voting in Ward No. 9 at Amloh in Fatehgarh Sahib.
Meanwhile, counting of votes for the elections to five municipal corporations and 44 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Punjab is underway, officials said.
Polling began at 7 am and continued till 4 pm amid tight security arrangements. Till 3 pm, the average turnout was 55 per cent.
The five municipal corporations that went to the polls are Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Phagwara.
More than 3,300 candidates are in the fray and a total of 3,809 polling booths have been set up for the civic polls.
A total of 37.32 lakh voters, including 17.75 lakh females, were eligible to cast their vote in the elections conducted using electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The civic polls will be a litmus test for AAP, which would like its winning momentum to continue after securing victories in three of the four Assembly bypolls in November.
The elections are also important as they will reveal the popularity of the ruling party among the urban voters.
In the run-up to the elections, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held roadshows and campaigned for AAP candidates.
It will also be the first test for Aman Arora after he was appointed AAP’s Punjab unit chief. Arora took part in poll campaign and made several promises to the voters.
The stakes are also high for Congress, which has majority in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala municipal corporations. —with PTI
AAP’s Shivraj Singh Virk wins from Ward No 10 in Patiala
December 21, 2024 8:34 pm
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Shivraj Singh Virk from Ward No. 10 along with his supporters celebrate victory in the municipal corporation elections in Patiala on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Rajesh Sachar
BSP’s Davinder Goga wins from Ward No 34 in Jalandhar
December 21, 2024 8:27 pm
BSP’s Davinder Goga has won the municipal corporation elections from Ward No. 34 in Jalandhar on Saturday.
BJP’s Manjit Kaur wins from Ward No 19 in Jalandhar
December 21, 2024 8:18 pm
BJP candidate Manjit Kaur has won the municipal corporation elections from Ward No.19 in Jalandhar on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Malkiat Singh
PCA chairman’s son wins from Ward No 48 in Bathinda
December 21, 2024 7:53 pm
PCA chairman Amarjit Mehta’s son Padamjeet Mehta has won from Ward No. 48 in Bathinda.
Punjab former deputy CM Om Prakash Soni with winning Congress candidate in Amritsar on Saturday
December 21, 2024 7:50 pm
Congress’ Deepika Sunny Bhalla wins from Ward No 69 in Ludhiana
December 21, 2024 7:47 pm
Congress candidate Deepika Sunny Bhalla (centre in brown suit) has won the municipal corporation elections from Ward No. 69 in Ludhiana. Photo: Himanshu Mahajan
AAP’s Aruna Arora wins from Ward No 33 in Jalandhar
December 21, 2024 7:43 pm
AAP’s Aruna Arora has won the municipal corporation elections from Ward No. 33 in Jalandhar on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Sarabjit Singh
Congress wins from Ward No 27, 28 in Jalandhar
December 21, 2024 7:40 pm
Congress winning candidates Paramjot S Sherry Chadha from Ward No. 28 along with his wife Prabhjot Kaur from Ward No. 27 in Jalandhar have won the municipal corporation elections on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Sarabjit Singh
Congress workers celebrate in Jalandhar
December 21, 2024 7:37 pm
Large number of Congress workers celebrate after party candidates won in municipal corporation elections in Jalandhar on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Sarabjit Singh
Congress wins from Ward No 9, 14 in Amritsar
December 21, 2024 7:34 pm
Congress candidates Raj Kawal Preetpal Singh alias Lucky from Ward No. 14 and his daughter Dr Shobhit Kaur from Ward No. 9 in Amritsar celebrate after winning the municipal corporation elections on Saturday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
BJP’s Ruchi Vishal Gulati wins from Ward No 73 in Ludhiana
December 21, 2024 7:24 pm
BJP candidate Ruchi Vishal Gulati (centre in green suit) has won the municipal corporation elections from Ward No. 73 in Ludhiana. Photo: Himanshu Mahajan
AAP’s Nandini Jairath wins from Ward No 71 in Ludhiana
December 21, 2024 7:23 pm
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Nandini Jairath has won the municipal corporation elections from Ward No. 71 in Ludhiana. Photo: Himanshu Mahajan
Congress’ Uma Beri wins from Ward No 25 in Jalandhar
December 21, 2024 7:15 pm
Congress’ workers celebrate as party candidate Uma Beri, four times councillor and wife of DCC President Rajinder Beri, wins the municipal corporation elections from Ward No. 25 in Jalandhar on Saturday.
SAD candidate Davinder Singh wins in Majithia bypoll from ward number 4
December 21, 2024 6:38 pm
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Davinder Singh emerged victorious in the Majithia bypoll from ward number 4, securing 396 votes out of a total of 704 polled votes. His closest competitor, Aam Aadmi Party candidate Raj Balwinder Singh, trailed behind with only 121 votes.
Congress emerges victorious in Phagwara
December 21, 2024 6:32 pm
In Phagwara Municipal Corporation, the Congress emerged victorious.
December 21, 2024 6:24 pm
BJP files another complaint to Punjab State Election Commissioner
December 21, 2024 4:45 pm
The BJP on Saturday filed another complaint against the Patiala Police officials, who have illegally detained party candidate Sushil Nayyar from ward number 34 of Municipal Corporation Patiala.
BJP demands FIR against MLAs who were in Patiala on voting day
December 21, 2024 4:31 pm
The BJP on Saturday demanded registration of FIR against AAP MLAs Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Gurlal Singh, “who are not voters of the area but are sitting inside the booth as well as roaming in ward number 40 and intimidating the voters and inhabitants of the area to cast vote in favour of the AAP,” reads a letter to state election commission.
63.97 per cent voter turnout in Mohali district till 3 pm
December 21, 2024 4:03 pm
MC Kharar – 44.31%, MC Nayagaon – 52.47%, MC Banur – 73.79%, Nagar Panchayat Gharuan – 75.40%
32 per cent voter turnout in Patiala till 3 pm
December 21, 2024 3:53 pm
MC Patiala -29%, Nabha- 47%, MC Patran – 61%, MC Rajpura- 50%; Nagar Panchayats – Bhadson-71% and Gagga-76%
39 per cent polling in Amritsar till 3 pm
December 21, 2024 3:48 pm
Over 51 per cent polling in Sangrur till 3 pm
December 21, 2024 3:46 pm
26.06 per cent polling in Amritsar till 1 pm
December 21, 2024 2:25 pm
30.43 per cent turnout in Ludhiana till 1 pm
December 21, 2024 2:24 pm
50.67% voter turnout in Mohali district till 1 pm
December 21, 2024 2:23 pm
MC Kharar – 32.37 %, MC Nayagaon – 40.78 %, MC Banur – 53.67 %, Nagar Panchayat Gharuan – 61.94%
SAD, AAP and BJP workers lock horns in Patiala
December 21, 2024 2:16 pm
Shere Punjab market turned battleground as Akali Dal, AAP and BJP workers locked horns. Police resorted to lathi charge as two suffer minor injuries.
Voters face difficulty in finding polling booths in Ludhiana, many come back disappointed
December 21, 2024 1:44 pm
Many voters reached their respective polling stations, where they generally cast their vote, but did not find their names in the list.
Average 27 per cent polling till 11 am in municipal elections
December 21, 2024 1:35 pm
Jalandhar voters face uphill task in locating their booths, many leave without vote cast
December 21, 2024 12:30 pm
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/punjab-mc-election-jalandhar-voters-face-uphill-task-in-locating-their-booths-many-leave-without-vote-cast/
34.19 per cent voter turnout in Mohali district till 11 am
December 21, 2024 12:23 pm
MC Kharar – 19.69%, MC Nayagaon – 27.60%, MC Banur – 32.22%, Nagar Panchayat Gharuan – 43.29%
Average 10 per cent polling till 9 am in municipal polls
December 21, 2024 12:07 pm
16 per cent voter turnout for Jalandhar municipal corporation till 11 am
December 21, 2024 11:42 am
16 per cent voter turnout in Patiala till 11 am
December 21, 2024 11:41 am
MC Patiala -14%, Nabha- 20%, MC Patran – 36%, MC Rajpura- 25%; Nagar Panchayats – Bhadson-39% and Gagga-56%
Voters click photos after casting their vote at a polling station in Ludhiana
December 21, 2024 11:00 am
Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
Heated exchange between BJP’s Jai Inder Kaur and Patiala SSP Nanak Singh
December 21, 2024 10:49 am
Kaur alleges that fake votes are being polled in ward no. 34, while the SSP says videography of voting process being done.
SAD candidate’s husband climbs atop water tank following hooliganism by AAP supporters in Patiala’s ward no. 11
December 21, 2024 10:42 am
BJP leader Tarun Chugh after casting vote along with his family in Amritsar
December 21, 2024 10:41 am
Photo: Vishal Kumar
People lined up at a polling station in Jalandhar
December 21, 2024 10:38 am
Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh
13.4 per cent voter turnout in Sangrur till 9 am
December 21, 2024 10:37 am
Also in Sunam, Dirba, Cheema, Moonak and Khanauri municipal councils and nagar panchayats
BJP’s Jai Inder Kaur accuses AAP leaders for influencing voters in Patiala
December 21, 2024 10:35 am
Kaur alleges AAP MLA Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Gurlal Ghanaur, who are outsiders as they represent rural constituencies, are visiting ward no. 34 in utter violation of poll code.
Senior citizens turning up at a polling station in Ludhiana to cast vote
December 21, 2024 10:33 am
Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
People of ward number 48 wait to cast their vote in Bathinda
December 21, 2024 10:28 am
Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma
BJP candidate threatens to self-immolate following ‘intimidation’ by AAP supporters in Patiala
December 21, 2024 10:24 am
Police rounded up candidate Sushil Nayyar, who is contesting from ward number 34. He was taken away by a police team as he tried to escape some AAP supporters, who had surrounded him.
Deserted look at a polling station in Ludhiana
December 21, 2024 10:17 am
Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
People wait to cast their vote at a polling station in Amritsar
December 21, 2024 10:14 am
Photo: Sunil Kumar
Congress MLA Pargat Singh, his family after casting vote in Jalandhar
December 21, 2024 10:09 am
Voter turnout in Ludhiana till 9 am
December 21, 2024 10:01 am
Municipal Corporation: 5.4%; Councils: 9.8%; Malaudh nagar panchayat: 16.1%
6.3 per cent polling in Phagwara till 9 am
December 21, 2024 9:55 am
Bholath/Nadala/Begowal/Dhilwan — 9.10 per cent; overall district total — 7.7 per cent
Only 5.5 per cent votes polled in Jalandhar so far
December 21, 2024 9:51 am
People wait to cast their vote at a polling station in Amritsar
December 21, 2024 9:48 am
Photo: Vishal Kumar
People after casting vote at ward no. 33 in Jalandhar’s Model Town
December 21, 2024 9:45 am
AAP, BJP up in arms against each other
December 21, 2024 9:38 am
At ward number 40, AAP accuses BJP leader Jai Inder Kaur, daughter of former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, for influencing the voters. On the other hand, the BJP leader says she visited the polling booth following information that some individuals were involved in casting fake votes.
Patiala Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav visits polling booths to inspect voting process
December 21, 2024 9:12 am
Patiala BJP leader Jai Inder Kaur accuses AAP for causing ‘lawlessness’ in civic polls
December 21, 2024 9:08 am
The BJP leader visited two polling stations in the old city area and claimed their party candidates were not allowed by the opposition candidates to sit on stalls outside the polling booths. “Appeal to senior police officials to maintain law and order instead of playing hand in glove with the ruling party candidates”, she told the media.
AAP, BJP factions lock horns in Patiala
December 21, 2024 9:01 am
Before the start of the polling, AAP and BJP factions locked horns after AAP candidates, backed by some supporters, allegedly stopped the BJP candidates from entering booths.
