Punjab Municipal Election Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Counting of votes for the high-stakes Punjab local body elections has begun amid tight security arrangements across the state. The civic polls, being seen as the semifinal before the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, will decide the political strength of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in urban and semi-urban regions.The elections witnessed an overall voter turnout of 63.94%, registering a sharp decline of 9.59% compared to the 73.53% polling recorded during the 2021 civic body elections. Political observers believe lower voting in urban areas and major municipal corporation regions could significantly impact the final outcome.Counting is underway for 7,555 candidates contesting across 1,896 wards in 9 Municipal Corporations, 76 Municipal Councils and 21 Nagar Panchayats across Punjab. A total of 79 candidates had already been elected unopposed before polling.According to final figures released by the Election Commission, Nagar Panchayats recorded the highest turnout at 76.18%, while Municipal Corporation areas witnessed the lowest voting percentage at 59.91%. Municipal Councils registered 65.06% polling.The ruling Aam Aadmi Party has fielded the maximum number of candidates, followed by Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal. The election results are expected to provide a major political indication ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls.Security has been tightened at counting centres after incidents of clashes, stone-pelting and tension were reported during polling in several districts.FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES
