Punjab BJP alleges poll irregularities, seeks re-poll in affected areas
Synopsis
Hours before ballot counting begins, Punjab BJP has moved the State Election Commissioner with a formal complaint alleging booth capturing, voter list manipulation, and misuse of official machinery across the state's 102 civic bodies. With 64 per cent turnout recorded and results expected by noon on 29 May, the BJP's re-poll demand injects a fresh layer of political tension into what is already a high-stakes urban governance contest.
Key Takeaways
Punjab BJP state President Kewal Dhillon met the State Election Commissioner on 28 May to submit a formal complaint alleging large-scale electoral irregularities.
Allegations include booth capturing , voter list manipulation, and misuse of official machinery across multiple constituencies.
The BJP has demanded cancellation of polling and re-poll in areas where malpractices allegedly occurred.
Punjab municipal polls recorded 64 per cent voter turnout across 102 civic bodies , including 8 municipal corporations .
Counting is scheduled for 29 May across 115 counting centres , beginning at 8 am , with results expected by noon .
A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Punjab BJP state President Kewal Dhillon, on Thursday, 28 May met State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri in Chandigarh and submitted a formal memorandum alleging large-scale irregularities during the Punjab municipal elections. The party has demanded immediate action, including cancellation of polling and re-poll in constituencies where malpractices allegedly occurred.
Key Allegations Raised
The BJP delegation flagged a range of electoral violations, including alleged booth capturing, manipulation of voter lists, and misuse of official machinery across multiple parts of the state. The memorandum urged the Election Commission to take cognisance of these complaints and protect the sanctity of the democratic process.
State President Dhillon, speaking after the meeting, said the party remains committed to defending voters' democratic rights and ensuring elections are conducted free from fear, pressure, and abuse of power.
What the BJP Has Demanded
Beyond seeking re-polling in affected areas, the BJP also demanded that the counting process — scheduled for 29 May — be conducted in a fully impartial and transparent manner, with adequate safeguards against manipulation or undue interference. The party emphasised that free and fair elections are fundamental to maintaining public trust in democracy.
Scale of the Municipal Elections
The municipal polls recorded 64 per cent voter turnout across 102 civic bodies, comprising 8 municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils, and 19 nagar panchayats. The elections determined representation across a significant cross-section of Punjab's urban local governance structure.
Counting Day Arrangements
As many as 115 counting centres have been established across the state, secured by a three-layer security system and CCTV surveillance. Counting is set to begin at 8 am, with results updated online on a round-by-round basis. State Election Commissioner Chaudhuri indicated the overall picture of results is expected to emerge by around noon on 29 May.
This comes amid a broader pattern of post-poll disputes in state-level civic elections across India, where allegations of electoral malpractice frequently follow closely contested urban body polls. Whether the Election Commission acts on the BJP's memorandum before counting concludes will be closely watched.
Point of View
Which makes the BJP's aggressive posture as much about political optics as electoral integrity. The real accountability test lies not in the complaint, but in whether the Commission's three-layer security and CCTV arrangements translate into a credible, challenge-proof count.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What irregularities has the Punjab BJP alleged in the municipal elections?
The BJP has alleged booth capturing, manipulation of voter lists, misuse of official machinery, and other electoral malpractices across various parts of Punjab. The party submitted a formal memorandum to the State Election Commissioner on 28 May demanding immediate action.
What has the BJP demanded from the Election Commission?
The BJP has demanded cancellation of polling and re-poll in areas where irregularities allegedly took place. It has also sought that the counting process on 29 May be conducted in a fully transparent and impartial manner with safeguards against interference.
When is the counting of Punjab municipal election votes scheduled?
Counting is scheduled for 29 May across 115 centres statewide, beginning at 8 am. Results will be updated online round by round, with the overall picture expected to be clear by around noon, according to State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri.
How many civic bodies were covered in the Punjab municipal elections?
The elections covered 102 civic bodies, including 8 municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils, and 19 nagar panchayats, with an overall voter turnout of 64 per cent.
Who led the BJP delegation to the State Election Commissioner?
The delegation was led by Punjab BJP state President Kewal Dhillon, who said after the meeting that the party is committed to protecting voters' democratic rights and ensuring elections remain free from fear and misuse of power.
