Punjab is set to witness the curtain-raiser for the 2027 Assembly polls on Tuesday as 7,555 candidates battle it out in the civic body elections. Polling began at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm.
The State Election Commission has deputed around 32,000 police personnel and 35,000 election staff to ensure free and fair elections at eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats.
State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari said, “We have declared 740 booths sensitive and 274 hyper sensitive. Adequate force has been deployed to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.”
A total of 35.45 lakh voters will exercise their franchise to elect councillors for 1,896 wards. The eight municipal corporations include Abohar, Bathinda, Barnala, Batala, Kapurthala, Moga, Mohali and Pathankot.
BJP stages protest at Amritsar’s Ramdas, alleges misuse of administrative, police machinery
May 26, 2026 1:18 pm
Amritsar: BJP workers, led by former Ajnala MLA Amarpal Singh Bony Ajnala, staged a protest at Ramdas town, alleging misuse of the administrative and police machinery. The BJP leader alleged that the AAP has set up booths near polling stations in the restricted area. He also accused AAP MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal of going inside voting stations in violation of the norms. “AAP MLA, his family and Chamchas are trying to intimidate voters,” he alleged. Elections for 11 wards of the Ramdas Municipal Council are under way.
42.55 per cent polling till 12 noon in Fazilka district
May 26, 2026 12:52 pm
Arniwala Nagar Panchayat: 54.30 per cent; Abohar Municipal Corporation: 35.74 per cent; Fazilka Municipal Council: 37.61 per cent
27 per cent voting till 12 noon in Kapurthala MC; 34 per cent in Sultanpur Lodhi MC
May 26, 2026 12:51 pm
Kapurthala MC: 27 per cent; Sultanpur Lodhi MC: 34 per cent
32.02 per cent voting till 12 noon in Ludhiana MCs
May 26, 2026 12:49 pm
Doraha: 33.13 per cent; Jagraon: 30.92 per cent; Khanna: 30.73 per cent; Payal: 41.86 per cent; Raikot: 35.15 per cent; Samrala: 34.20 per cent
32 per cent voting till 12 noon in Amritsar
May 26, 2026 12:46 pm
Amritsar: 32 per cent voting has been recorded in the civic body elections here till 12pm.
31.6 per cent polling till 12 noon: State Election Commission
May 26, 2026 12:43 pm
Punjab witnessed a voter turnout of 31.6 per cent till 12 noon in the ongoing civic body elections, the State Election Commission said on Tuesday.
In a display of unity and democratic AAP’s Pallavi Singla, Congress’ Radha Goyal and BJP’s Shweta are seen together outside a polling booth in Ward Number 27 of Mandi Gobindgarh.
May 26, 2026 12:41 pm
No wheelchair facility for elderly, disabled voters at Samrala polling booths
May 26, 2026 12:38 pm
Ludhiana: While polling for the Samrala Municipal Council elections began peacefully on Monday, the administration faced criticism over the lack of wheelchair facilities for elderly and specially-abled voters at several polling booths. Many elderly and disabled voters had to face inconvenience as no wheelchairs were available at polling stations despite claims of elaborate arrangements by the administration for smooth polling. In several cases, family members and local residents were seen carrying disabled persons to polling booths to help them cast their votes. The issue exposed gaps in arrangements made for voter convenience during the civic polls. Voters said basic facilities should have been ensured for senior citizens and differently-abled persons, especially during elections. Meanwhile, polling continued peacefully across 12 wards of the Samrala Municipal Council amid security arrangements. A total of 17,167 voters, including 8,792 men and 8,372 women, are eligible to cast their votes to decide the fate of 50 candidates. Three wards — Number 1, 4 and 12 — had already been declared elected unopposed earlier. SDM Samarala Gursimrajit Kaur visited one of the polling booths after complaints surfaced regarding the absence of wheelchairs. She assured voters that wheelchair facilities would be arranged shortly to facilitate elderly and disabled voters.
2 BJP workers held for ‘distributing’ opium, cash; party cries foul
May 26, 2026 12:33 pm
Fazilka: Two persons allegedly linked to the BJP were arrested by police for distributing opium and cash in Arniwala sub-tehsil during the intervening night. Notably, elections to the Nagar Panchayat are being held in 11 wards of Arniwala. Jalalabad DSP Gursewak Singh said the accused were nabbed on the outskirts of Jalalabad town. He said that 32.5 grams of opium and Rs 40,600 in cash were recovered from their possession. The accused have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Lalla Basti, Jalalabad, and Harbhajan Singh, a resident of Aggarwal Colony, Jalalabad. They have been booked under Sections 173 (bribery) and 174 (influence someone during elections) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, besides Sections 18, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act.
Minor clashes reported in Samana; DSP reaches spot to disperse crowd near polling booth
May 26, 2026 12:25 pm
Minor clashes were reported in Samana, following which DSP Fateh Brar reached the spot to disperse a crowd near a polling booth.
Clashes erupt over ‘fake’ voting at Moga civic polls; police intervene
May 26, 2026 12:25 pm
Moga: Tensions flared during the municipal elections at polling booths 104, 105 and 106 after opposition parties alleged instances of fraudulent and fake voting early in the day. The situation escalated into a confrontation inside the polling stations. Rival candidates accused an AAP candidate of openly threatening and intimidating other contestants, bringing the voting process to a brief halt. As tensions mounted, a team of senior police officials rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, ensuring that polling resumed peacefully.
First-time voter casts her vote at Banga in Nawanshahr on Tuesday.
May 26, 2026 11:45 am
Zirakpur: Women brave the hot weather while going to to cast their votes for the Zirakpur Municipal Council election at Lohgarh in Zirakpur on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Ravi Kumar
May 26, 2026 11:43 am
First-time voters at a polling centre at Sohana in Mohali on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Vicky
May 26, 2026 11:38 am
Voters show their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes in Samana on Tuesday morning.
May 26, 2026 11:35 am
Singhpura, Zirakpur: Women show their voter ID cards while waiting for their turn to cast votes in the Zirakpur Municipal Council elections at Singhpura village in Zirakpur on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar
May 26, 2026 11:33 am
Dramatic face-off in Faridkot: AAP MLA corners BJP leader, alleges use of ‘Army bus’ for ferrying voters
May 26, 2026 11:28 am
During the civic body elections in Faridkot on Tuesday morning, a heated confrontation broke out between ruling party workers and a BJP leader. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/dramatic-face-off-in-faridkot-aap-mla-corners-bjp-leader-alleges-use-of-army-bus-for-ferrying-voters/
Polling percent in Fazilka district till 10 am
May 26, 2026 11:28 am
Abohar Municipal Corporation: 17 per cent; Fazilka Municipal Council: 18 per cent; Arniwala Nagar Panchayat: 30 per cent
15.92 per cent voting till 11 am in Zira; 14.50 per cent in Talwandi Bhai
May 26, 2026 11:25 am
Ferozepur: 15.92 per cent voting has been recorded in Zira and 14.50 per cent in Talwandi Bhai till the filing of this report. Voting for the Municipal Council elections in Ferozepur city, Zira and Talwandi Bhai began peacefully with no untoward incident reported from any part of the district till the filing of this report. Amid rising temperatures, a large number of voters preferred to reach polling booths early to avoid the scorching heat. Elderly voters also participated enthusiastically in the electoral process. A 96-year-old voter Harbans Kaur, a resident of the city area, said after casting her vote that she had voted for the betterment of her city and had reached the polling station early in the morning. Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said that all arrangements for the Municipal Council elections had been completed in advance and polling parties had already been dispatched to their respective duty locations. She said that a total of 281 candidates are in the fray, including 138 candidates from Ferozepur Municipal Council, 87 from Zira and 56 from Talwandi Bhai. A total of 1,20,271 voters are eligible to cast their votes, including 57,217 male voters, 63,049 female voters and five others. The district administration has set up 132 polling booths across 63 wards, including 85 booths for 33 wards in Ferozepur, 31 booths for 17 wards in Zira and 16 booths for 13 wards in Talwandi Bhai. Meanwhile, former Municipal Council president Rohit Grover alleged inadequate arrangements at certain polling stations. He claimed that facilities for specially-abled voters, including tricycles, were missing and fans at some polling centres were not functioning properly.
Congress leader Raja Warring, wife ride bullock cart to polling booth to protest fuel price hike
May 26, 2026 11:13 am
Polling till 10 am in Mohali district
May 26, 2026 11:03 am
Mohali MC: 13.9 per cent; Dera Bassi MC: 13.9 per cent; Kurali MC: 16.30 per cent; Banur MC: 19.4 per cent; Zirakpur MC: 9 per cent
15.07 per cent polling till 10 am in Ludhiana MCs
May 26, 2026 11:03 am
Doraha: 16. 21 per cent; Jagraon: 11.09 per cent; Khanna: 14.00 per cent; Payal: 19.15 per cent; Raikot: 17.42 per cent; Samrala: 16.40 per cent
13.5 per cent polling till 10 am: State Election Commission
May 26, 2026 10:56 am
Punjab witnessed a voter turnout of 13.5 per cent till 10 am in the ongoing civic body elections, the State Election Commission said on Tuesday.
Kapurthala sees 11 per cent turnout till 10 am; Sultanpur Lodhi records 15 per cent voting
May 26, 2026 10:52 am
Kapurthala: The district witnessed 11 per cent voting turnout till 10 am in the Municipal Corporation polls, whereas Sultanpur Lodhi recorded 15 per cent voting in the Municipal Council elections.
An octogenarian woman reaches a polling booth on a crude wheel seat with the help of her son at Ahmedgarh. Photo: Mahesh Sharma
May 26, 2026 10:26 am
First-time women voters show their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes during the Municipal Corporation elections at a polling booth in Majitha on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Vishal Kumar
May 26, 2026 10:23 am
A 100-year-old man casts his vote in the Municipal Corporation elections at a polling booth in Majitha on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Vishal Kumar
May 26, 2026 10:21 am
Former MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra casts his vote along with his family at a polling booth in Fatehgarh Sahib.
May 26, 2026 10:16 am
Voting begins in Fatehgarh Sahib civic polls; Congress candidate alleges booth encroachment
May 26, 2026 10:14 am
Fatehgarh Sahib: Voting began at 139 polling booths of four Urban Local Bodies across 80 wards in the district. Women voters were seen standing in long queues at polling booths. Police have made elaborate security arrangements at polling stations. Congress candidate from Ward Number 2 in Mandi Gobindgarh alleged that his booth has been encroached by supporters of an AAP candidate. In a video message, he said that if the situation was not restored, he would commit suicide.
Brisk voting begins across Mohali civic bodies; 4.80 lakh voters to exercise their franchise
May 26, 2026 9:54 am
Mohali: Brisk voting began at 498 polling booths of seven Urban Local Bodies across 166 wards in Mohali district. Elderly and women voters were among the early participants to decide the fate of 695 candidates contesting the elections. A total of 4,80,781 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 695 candidates contesting the elections. The total electorate in Mohali district comprises 2,48,415 male voters, 2,32,340 female voters and 26 other voters. In the Municipal Corporation Mohali, 227 candidates are contesting from 50 wards. A total of 90,505 male voters, 84,844 female voters and eight other voters will cast their votes at 184 polling booths.
Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh and his son Sarabjit Singh Samana pose after casting their votes at Lakhnaur village in Mohali. Sarabjit Singh (AAP) is contesting from ward Number 42.
May 26, 2026 9:47 am
Long queues mark polling in Fazilka amid scorching heat; voters complain of poor arrangements
May 26, 2026 9:45 am
Polling began today in 25 wards of the Municipal Council in Fazilka town amid enthusiastic participation by voters despite the scorching heat. Long queues were witnessed in most wards since morning. Some voters reached polling booths as early as 7 am, though polling officially started at 8 am, under the impression that voting would commence at 7 am. “There were no proper arrangements for drinking water, seating or wheelchairs for elderly persons,” said a voter, adding that many people had to stand in queues under the blazing sun due to the absence of tents at some booths. A large number of voters at Ward Number 22 were seen waiting patiently in queues. Some said they had arrived early in the morning, apprehending booth capturing or rigging later in the day.
Congress candidate Jagdev Jagga injured in attack in Raikot
May 26, 2026 9:37 am
Ludhiana: AAP supporters and leaders were allegedly distributing clothes and shoes late Monday night in wards, to which Congress candidate Jagdev Singh Jagga objected. In the morning, when Jagga was on his way to his polling booth, he was allegedly attacked by about 20-30 persons armed with ‘kirpans’. He has been referred to DMCH, Ludhiana. Jagga is the Congress candidate from Ward Number 4 in Raikot. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said, “We have informed the SSP, and law is taking its own course. We will not allow anyone to take law and order into their own hands”.
AAP, Congress workers face off at 2 places in Patran; police step up
May 26, 2026 9:29 am
Patran: Reports of face-offs between AAP and Congress workers were received from two places. Police intervened and brought the situation under control.
Slow start to polling in Mandi Ahmedgarh; violence reported in Raikot village
May 26, 2026 9:26 am
Mandi Ahmedgarh: Polling started at a slow pace in this Malwa region falling under Ludhiana and Malerkotla districts. At several polling booths, only a single-digit number of voters exercised their franchise during the first hour. While polling remained peaceful at most places, violence was reported from Shehbazpura in Raikot, where Congress candidate for Ward Number 4 Jagdev Singh Jagga was injured in an assault allegedly by AAP activists before the start of polling.
As crucial Punjab civic polls begin, CM Mann’s predictions stir political buzz
May 26, 2026 9:15 am
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann once again stirred political debate in the state by claiming that in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections, the BJP would win 1-2 seats in Pathankot district, Congress would secure up to nine seats, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would draw a blank. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/as-crucial-punjab-civic-polls-begin-cm-manns-predictions-stir-political-buzz/
An elderly voter in a wheelchair shows the ink mark after casting his vote during the municipal corporation elections at a polling booth in Bathinda on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Pawan Sharma
May 26, 2026 9:08 am
Voters queue up to cast their ballots during the Municipal Corporation elections at a polling booth in Bathinda on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Pawan Sharma
May 26, 2026 9:07 am
A specially-abled voter leaves after casting his vote in the Municipal Council elections in Majitha on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Vishal Kumar
May 26, 2026 8:45 am
Polling begins for 55 wards in Amritsar
May 26, 2026 7:57 am
Amritsar: Voting for 55 wards in five civic bodies in the district has started with the ruling party having already won 12 seats after the withdrawal and scrutiny of nominations. Earlier, the election process was started for 67 seats of three municipal councils, Jandiala Guru, Majitha and Ramdas, and two Nagar Panchayats, Ajnala and Rayya. However, after the completion of the nomination process, eight seats in Rayya, two in Jandiala Guru and two in Majitha were declared elected unopposed. A total of 209 candidates are in the fray.
