The crucial counting of votes for the Punjab local body elections commenced today, December 17, 2025, under a blanket of tight security. This process will determine the winners for the 22 Zila Parishads and 153 Panchayat Samitis across the state, setting the political tone for grassroots governance.
Election Day Recap and Key Figures
The polling was conducted on December 14, 2025, with voters across Punjab casting their ballots to elect representatives for 347 zones of Zila Parishads and 2,838 zones of Panchayat Samitis. The daylong exercise witnessed a voter turnout of 48 per cent, with more than 9,000 candidates in the electoral fray. Major political parties, including the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), contested the polls on their official party symbols.
The election day was not without controversy. In the lead-up to the polling, the opposition Congress and SAD leveled serious allegations against the AAP government. They accused the ruling party of engaging in "blatant electoral malpractices," claiming that state machinery was used to obstruct opposition candidates from filing nominations and to get their papers rejected.
Counting Day: Security and Weather Challenges
As the counting began on Wednesday, officials ensured robust security arrangements at all counting centers to maintain law and order and ensure a smooth process. However, the state grappled with an additional challenge as dense fog enveloped multiple cities, including Amritsar and Moga.
The thick fog layer led to a sharp drop in visibility, disrupting daily life and making travel slow and hazardous for commuters. The weather conditions also indicated a deterioration in air quality across Punjab. In Amritsar, locals reported increased risks of accidents on highways due to the poor visibility, adding an extra layer of concern on the significant counting day.
What the Results Will Reveal
The outcome of these local body elections is being closely watched as a key indicator of public sentiment at the grassroots level. The results will reveal the political standing of the AAP government against the traditional rivals, Congress and SAD, as well as the BJP's reach in the rural landscape. Live updates are providing minute-by-minute trends on leads, winning candidates, and party performances ward-wise from all districts.
This electoral exercise is pivotal for planning and development at the district and block levels, making the results crucial for the administrative future of Punjab's villages and districts. All eyes are now on the counting trends to see which party will gain dominance in the state's panchayati raj institutions.
