Punjab Panchayat Elections Start Amid Security

Polling for the gram panchayat elections in Punjab began smoothly amid heightened security, with over 1.33 crore voters expected to participate across 19,110 polling booths. A total of 13,937 gram panchayats are involved, with significant numbers of candidates contesting for sarpanch and panch positions, although 3,798 sarpanchs have been elected unopposed. The elections are being conducted without political symbols to promote non-partisan local governance, spurred by a recent amendment to the Punjab Panchayati Raj Bill. However, concerns about corruption and criminal influence have emerged, particularly in border areas, where candidates allegedly resort to vote-buying and intimidation tactics. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party and opposition parties like Congress and SAD are engaged in a competitive environment, with accusations of misconduct and attempts to sway voters. These local elections are deemed crucial for strengthening political support ahead of upcoming assembly byelections.