The ruling Indian National Congress in Punjab swept Panchayat Polls on Sunday which recorded a turnout of over 80 percent. Elections were held for 13,726 panchayats. As many as 46,754 panchs of a total 83,831 were elected unopposed.
The polling percentage in Bathinda and Fazilka was 86, Mohali 84, Pathankot 82, Patiala and Sangrur 81, Moga 78, Fatehgarh Sahib 77.20 and Muktsar 77.92.
However, Shiromani Akali Dal alleged the polls were rigged. In Badal village, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal‘s relative Udayveer Dhillon lost to a Congress-backed candidate for the post of sarpanch. The entire Badal clan had descended on the village to cast their vote.
“We congratulate the newly elected Panchayat Members & Sarpanch’s on their victory & wish them a successful term! We urge the Panchayat representatives to initiate transformative changes in villages & make a positive difference in society during their terms. #PunjabPanchayatPolls,” the Punjab Congress tweeted Sunday night.
We congratulate the newly elected Panchayat Members & Sarpanch’s on their victory & wish them a successful term! We urge the Panchayat representatives to initiate transformative changes in villages & make a positive difference in society during their terms. #PunjabPanchayatPolls
— Punjab Congress (@INCPunjab) December 30, 2018
However, incidents of violence reported in many parts. Candidates and their supporter leveled allegations of booth capturing by some miscreants. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged complete hijacking of polls by the ruling party. He tweeted, “Congress party is now afraid to face people. They know they have done nothing. That’s why party indulged in large-scale violence and rigging in Panchayat elections today. Black day for democracy. Elections hijacked.”
Congress party is now afraid to face people. They know they have done nothing. That’s why party indulged in large scale violence and rigging in panchayat elections today. Black day for democracy. Elections hijacked!
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 30, 2018
Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala’s mother Charan Kaur was elected sarpanch in Mansa’s Moosa village. Kiranbeer Kaur, sister-in-law of former AAP state president Sukhpal Singh Khaira, lost the election for sarpanch.
There were reports of ruckus. Unidentified persons set a ballot box ablaze at Lakhmir Ke Uthar village in Mamdot block of Ferozepur. Two FIRs were registered.
Secretary of the State Election Commission Kamal Garg said the elections were largely peaceful and that FIRs had been filed in Patiala and Tarn Taran districts. He said besides Mamdot, repolling would be held at places where complaints were found to be “genuine”.