Punjab’s municipal elections, long delayed by legal wrangling and political maneuvering, will now proceed under the old ward delimitation framework. The State Government has formally notified the Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) of its decision, paving the way for polls in five municipal corporations and 44 municipal councils and nagar panchayats. The move comes after months of courtroom battles, culminating in a Supreme Court directive to ensure the elections take place without further delay.
The Apex Court’s decision to uphold the previous delimitation framework was prompted by the state’s inability to justify delays on the grounds of an ongoing delimitation process. The court emphasized the constitutional obligation under Articles 243E and 243U, which mandate timely municipal elections — either before the five-year term of a municipality ends or within six months of its dissolution. While the State had sought a 16-week extension for completing the delimitation process, the Court dismissed the plea, stating that no significant population or boundary changes had been demonstrated to warrant such an exercise.
The legal battle began with contempt proceedings initiated by the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the State for failing to announce election schedules for MC polls. The Supreme Court, in a recent order (November 11), directed the State Government to notify elections within two weeks and conclude the process within eight weeks. The Bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, underscored that delays violated both constitutional provisions and the democratic rights of citizens.
By adhering to the old ward boundaries, the elections now avoid additional procedural delays. The court also permitted the State to seek a deferral of contempt proceedings in the High Court, provided it complies with the revised timelines for polls.
With polls likely to be held in December, the decision has sparked significant political activity. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has restructured its state leadership, appointing Cabinet Minister Aman Arora as its president to strengthen urban voter outreach. The move reflected the party’s strategic pivot to urban constituencies, with Arora’s leadership complemented by Sheri Kalsi as working president to bolster grassroots efforts.
The ruling party is also bolstered by winning three seats in the recently concluded bypolls to four assembly segments.
To reinforce its position, the AAP Government has expedited development projects in urban areas. The elections will be contested on party symbols, raising the stakes for all political players aiming to capture municipal bodies, which are crucial for urban governance and resource allocation.
The clarity brought by the Supreme Court’s intervention has set the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested electoral battle. For Punjab’s political parties, the municipal elections are not just about urban governance but also a test of their broader appeal ahead of the state’s next assembly polls.
