Punjab is set to witness gram panchayat elections on Tuesday, marking a significant political event in the state’s rural governance. The elections, scheduled for more than 13,000 panchayats, will take place amidst tight security arrangements following a decisive ruling by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday, which dismissed over 700 petitions and vacated a stay on elections for 250 panchayats.
The path to the panchayat elections has not been smooth, with opposition from various quarters raising concerns about alleged irregularities and the fairness of the process. The Congress party, earlier in the day, also called for a postponement of the elections, citing issues during the nomination process. However, the High Court’s decision on Monday cleared the way for polling, much to the relief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led State Government.
The Double Bench had been hearing nearly 700 petitions, many of them filed by members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SA) and Congress, challenging various aspects of the election process, including the nomination and eligibility of candidates.
Punjab Advocate-General Gurvinder Singh said that the High Court’s ruling had brought much-needed clarity and relief to the people of Punjab, ensuring that the elections would go ahead as scheduled. The decision came as a victory for the state’s democratic process, quelling uncertainty that had lingered over the elections.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also expressed his gratitude to the judiciary for its swift decision. Taking to social media, he thanked the High Court for paving the way for the elections and urged the people of Punjab to vote peacefully, maintaining the spirit of unity and harmony. “I appeal to all Punjabis to cast their votes peacefully and choose representatives who will contribute to the development of their villages,” Mann wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The gram panchayat elections in Punjab will see over 13,000 panchayats go to the polls, with more than 1.33 crore registered voters — comprising 70.51 lakh men and 63.46 lakh women — set to cast their votes. Polling will be conducted from 8 am to 4 pm through traditional ballot boxes, a method favoured in rural areas for its simplicity and reliability. Results will be announced the same day following counting of votes.
Officials have set up over 19,000 polling booths across the State to accommodate the large number of voters. Voting for the posts of both ‘Sarpanch’ (village head) and ‘Panch’ (village council members) will take place simultaneously, and the results will be declared on the same day, with votes being counted at the polling stations themselves.
This year’s elections are distinct because they are being held without the use of political party symbols, following the Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2024, passed by the Vidhan Sabha the previous month. The intent behind the move was to ensure that panchayat elections remain a grassroots, community-driven affair, free from overt political influence. However, this hasn’t stopped political parties from trying to exert their influence.
Despite the lack of party symbols on the ballot, opposition parties, particularly Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal, have accused the ruling AAP of manipulating the nomination process to favour their candidates. Allegations of candidates’ nominations being forcibly rejected and the refusal to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been raised, prompting complaints to the State Election Commission.
In response, the AAP has dismissed these claims, accusing opposition parties of resorting to political drama and obstructionism. The situation reached a boiling point when AAP claimed that some of its own workers had been killed in politically-motivated attacks. The acrimony between the parties, although typical of election seasons, has added a layer of tension to an already high-stakes contest.
To ensure the peaceful conduct of elections, the Punjab Government has left no stone unturned in its security preparations. A total of 96,000 election officials have been deployed, with police personnel stationed at polling booths to prevent any disturbances. In light of potential security threats, the state has canceled all leaves for police officers and other security personnel. Additionally, the Government has declared a state-wide holiday on election day to encourage voter turnout.
A special control room has also been established at the State Election Commission office in Chandigarh to monitor the situation throughout the day. The control room, open from 8:30 am to 9 pm, will serve as a helpline for voters and officials to report any irregularities or security concerns. A dedicated landline number has been set up, along with provisions for addressing complaints through the commission’s official website.
As election day approaches, candidates are leaving no stone unturned to secure votes. With the stakes high, many candidates have mobilized their entire social networks, including extended families, to rally support. Some candidates have reportedly visited voters multiple times, hoping to persuade them to back their bid for village leadership.
In villages across Punjab, discussions are rife about which candidate is most suitable for the role of sarpanch. Many voters are looking for leaders who are educated, honest, and capable of driving development in their communities. The competition is intense, and in many areas, a three-way contest is unfolding between candidates with support from AAP, Congress, and the BJP.
Despite the tension and political jockeying, there is a palpable sense of civic responsibility in the air. Voters are keen to elect representatives who will work toward the betterment of their villages, focusing on infrastructure, education, and public services.
Punjab Government has declared a holiday in all the Sewa Kendras of the state on October 15, 2024 (Tuesday) for the Gram Panchayat elections. Punjab Governance Reforms and Public Grievances Minister Aman Arora said that all Sewa Kendras will be closed on October 15 to allow the staff to exercise their right to vote. He maintained that except October 15, the Sewa Kendras will continue to remain operational as per their existing timings, that is from 9 am to 5 pm.
Punjab Cong Calls for Postponement of Polls Amid Allegations of Irregularities
A day before panchayat polls, Punjab Congress on Monday sought its postponement by three weeks, raising concerns about alleged irregularities in the nomination process. Led by Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa, a Congress delegation met the Punjab State Election Commissioner in Chandigarh, expressing their apprehensions and urging action to ensure fairness in the electoral process.
Bajwa, after the meeting, emphasized that the Congress was not seeking a cancellation of the elections but rather a postponement to rectify the flaws in the nomination process. “We want the election process to be postponed by three weeks. We do not want cancellation,” Bajwa asserted. He alleged “massive irregularities” during the nomination process, claiming that numerous opposition-backed candidates were unjustly disqualified, with many failing to obtain the required no-objection certificates (NOCs).
In response, AAP strongly criticized the Congress’s stance, dismissing the allegations as an expression of fear and frustration. AAP MP and spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang accused Bajwa and the Congress of attempting to delay the elections because they anticipated a heavy defeat. “Villagers are not giving any importance to Congress-backed candidates. People have seen their past actions and have now decided to support AAP candidates for sarpanch posts to ensure progress under the Mann government,” Kang stated.
