Punjab municipal polls 2025: 7,555 candidates contest Tuesday vote across state
Synopsis
With 7,555 candidates in the fray and a High Court challenge to the ballot-paper format already dismissed, Punjab's municipal polls on 27 May are shaping up as the first real electoral test before the state's Assembly elections — and every party is treating the results as a referendum on AAP's governance record.
Key Takeaways
7,555 candidates are contesting Punjab municipal polls on 27 May 2025 ; counting on 29 May .
AAP has fielded 1,801 candidates , Congress 1,550 , BJP 1,316 , and SAD 1,251 .
The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed a PIL challenging the switch from EVMs to ballot papers on 22 May .
BJP state president Sunil Jakhar accused AAP leaders of threatening booth capture and called it an admission of defeat.
Separate polls for Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, Qadian, and Sham Chaurasi municipal councils scheduled for 10 June .
The Model Code of Conduct is now in force in all jurisdictions going to polls on 10 June .
Punjab heads to municipal polls on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, with 7,555 candidates contesting across the state in elections that serve as a critical pre-Assembly bellwether — less than 10 months before the state goes to the legislative polls. Voting will be conducted on ballot papers, with counting scheduled for 29 May.
Party-wise Candidate Breakdown
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded the largest contingent with 1,801 candidates, followed by the main opposition Indian National Congress with 1,550. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has put up 1,316 candidates, while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is contesting with 1,251. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded 96 candidates, and 1,528 Independents along with 13 others complete the field.
Ballot Paper Row and High Court Ruling
The switch from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to ballot papers drew a legal challenge, which the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed on 22 May. A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry rejected a PIL that argued the shift had been made abruptly through an administrative communication without statutory amendment, legislative sanction, or public consultation.
The bench observed: 'It is now too late for us to pass any orders or issue any writ since the election programme was published as early as May 13. The election program of municipal elections has progressed to an advanced stage, where the last date of withdrawal of candidature was May 19.' The ruling effectively clears the path for Tuesday's ballot-paper vote to proceed unhindered.
BJP Warns Against Booth Malpractice
State BJP President Sunil Jakhar has warned the government against deploying illegal means to secure victory, saying Punjab would no longer yield to what he described as AAP's fear and pressure tactics. Jakhar alleged that statements by AAP legislators and leaders about shutting polling-booth doors and capturing booths reflected the ruling party's desperation. He argued such remarks amounted to AAP conceding defeat in advance.
Four More Municipal Councils Head to Polls on June 10
In a separate notification dated 21 May, the State Election Commission announced elections for the municipal councils of Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, Qadian, and Sham Chaurasi. Nomination filing opens 28 May and closes 1 June; scrutiny is on 2 June and the withdrawal deadline is 3 June. Polling is set for 10 June from 8 am to 4 pm, with counting on the same day immediately after polls close. The Model Code of Conduct is now in force across all four jurisdictions and will remain so until the process concludes.
With the municipal results due on 29 May, all major parties will be watching closely — a strong AAP showing would signal momentum heading into the Assembly cycle, while gains for Congress, BJP, or SAD could reshape the opposition arithmetic in the months ahead.
Point of View
They are effectively the first public verdict on AAP's governance in the state — and the party's decision to field the largest candidate count signals it is treating this as a prestige contest. The High Court's refusal to stay the EVM-to-ballot-paper switch is notable: the bench's reasoning that the process had advanced too far to be reversed raises a procedural question about how early such challenges must be filed. Meanwhile, BJP's booth-capture allegations, however unverified, are a deliberate framing exercise — seeding a narrative that any AAP win is tainted, well before a single vote is cast.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Punjab municipal elections 2025?
Punjab municipal elections are being held on 27 May 2025 , with counting of ballot papers scheduled for 29 May 2025 .
How many candidates are contesting the Punjab municipal polls?
A total of 7,555 candidates are in the fray, including 1,801 from AAP , 1,550 from Congress , 1,316 from BJP , 1,251 from SAD , 96 from BSP , and 1,528 Independents .
Why are ballot papers being used instead of EVMs in Punjab municipal polls?
The State Election Commission switched from EVMs to ballot papers through an administrative decision. A PIL challenging this move was dismissed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 22 May , which ruled it was too late to intervene given the advanced stage of the election process.
What did BJP's Sunil Jakhar allege ahead of the polls?
State BJP President Sunil Jakhar accused AAP leaders and MLAs of making statements about shutting booth doors and capturing polling booths. He warned the government against using illegal means and said such remarks showed AAP's desperation and amounted to conceding defeat in advance.
Which additional municipal councils are going to polls in June 2025?
The municipal councils of Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, Qadian, and Sham Chaurasi will hold elections on 10 June 2025 , with nomination filing open from 28 May and counting on the same day as polling.
