Haryana urban local body vote count begins: BJP vs Congress in 7 cities
Synopsis
Vote-counting for Haryana's seven urban local bodies and 528 panchayats is underway, with BJP and Congress locked in a direct battle across Ambala, Panchkula, Sonipat, and beyond. Sampla's unusually high 79.2% turnout — in a seat linked to former CM Bhupinder Hooda — has emerged as the most intriguing subplot of the day.
Key Takeaways
Counting of votes for 7 urban local bodies and 528 panchayats in Haryana began on 13 May 2025 .
Overall voter turnout was 54.5% , with 4,75,948 votes cast out of 8,73,177 registered voters.
Sampla recorded the highest turnout at 79.2% , followed by Uklana at 75.7% and Dharuhera at 72.4% .
BJP and Congress are the principal contenders; mayoral races in Ambala , Panchkula , and Sonipat are the key contests.
State Election Commissioner Devender Kalyan confirmed special police deployment and strict oversight at all counting centres.
Counting of votes for Haryana's seven urban local bodies and 528 panchayats got underway on Wednesday, 13 May, setting up a direct contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the principal opposition Indian National Congress (INC). A total of 4,75,948 ballots were cast out of 8,73,177 registered voters, yielding an overall turnout of 54.5 per cent.
Seats and Candidates in the Fray
The elections cover municipal corporations in Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat, along with the Rewari municipal council and municipal committees in Sampla, Dharuhera, and Uklana. By-elections for one ward each were also held in Tohana, Jhajjar, Rajound, Taraori, Kanina, and Sadhaura.
In the mayoral races, BJP has fielded Akshita Saini in Ambala, Shyamlal Bansal in Panchkula, and Rajiv Jain in Sonipat. Congress has countered with Kulwinder Kaur, Sudha Bhardwaj, and Kamal Diwan in the respective cities.
Turnout Highlights and Notable Contests
The municipal committee of Sampla recorded the highest turnout at 79.2 per cent, followed by Uklana at 75.7 per cent and Dharuhera at 72.4 per cent. The Rewari municipal council logged around 64.8 per cent polling.
Notably, Sampla falls under the constituency of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda, and the high turnout there has drawn attention. With no Congress candidate on the ballot, Hooda reportedly urged voters to back the candidate most capable of defeating the BJP. The BJP contested Sampla on its party symbol, making the outcome particularly closely watched.
In Uklana, BJP's Nikita Goel faces a strong challenge from Independent candidate Rima Soni. Several other municipal committees, including Sampla and Dharuhera, saw multi-cornered contests due to Independent candidates.
Security and Oversight Measures
State Election Commissioner Devender Kalyan said instructions have been issued to district election officers and returning officers to ensure transparency in the counting process. Special police security has been deployed at all counting centres, and authorities have ordered strict monitoring of anti-social elements. Kalyan added that the counting process will be closely monitored to maintain credibility.
What to Watch Next
The results will be seen as a barometer of the BJP's standing in urban Haryana following its return to power in the state, and could signal Congress's organisational strength on the ground ahead of future electoral cycles. The outcome in Sampla, in particular, may offer a read on Hooda's local influence even without a formal Congress candidate.
Point of View
A strong showing would validate its urban support base in Haryana after a closely fought state assembly election. For Congress, the real test is whether Bhupinder Hooda's ground influence can translate even when the party is not formally on the ballot — as in Sampla. The unusually high turnout in Sampla, a Hooda stronghold, is the single most telling data point to watch when results come in. Local body elections rarely make national headlines, but in a state where both parties are calibrating for the next cycle, every ward seat is a signal.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which urban local bodies are part of the Haryana election counting on 13 May 2025?
Counting covers municipal corporations in Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat, the Rewari municipal council, and municipal committees in Sampla, Dharuhera, and Uklana. By-elections for one ward each were also held in Tohana, Jhajjar, Rajound, Taraori, Kanina, and Sadhaura.
What was the voter turnout in the Haryana urban local body elections?
The overall voter turnout was 54.5%, with 4,75,948 votes cast out of 8,73,177 registered voters. Sampla recorded the highest turnout at 79.2%, followed by Uklana at 75.7% and Dharuhera at 72.4%.
Who are the mayoral candidates for BJP and Congress in the Haryana elections?
BJP fielded Akshita Saini in Ambala, Shyamlal Bansal in Panchkula, and Rajiv Jain in Sonipat. Congress countered with Kulwinder Kaur, Sudha Bhardwaj, and Kamal Diwan in the respective cities.
Why is the Sampla municipal committee result significant?
Sampla falls under former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda's constituency. With no Congress candidate in the race, Hooda reportedly urged voters to support the candidate best placed to defeat the BJP, making the high 79.2% turnout a closely watched indicator of his local influence.
What security measures are in place for the vote counting?
State Election Commissioner Devender Kalyan confirmed that special police security has been deployed at all counting centres and strict monitoring of anti-social elements has been ordered to ensure a transparent and credible counting process.
