The counting of votes for the Punjab civic election 2026 began at 8 am on Friday under tight security arrangements across the state, officials said. The Punjab local body polls 2026 are being closely watched as they are seen as a major political test ahead of the Assembly elections next year.The elections were held on May 26 for 102 municipal bodies, including eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats. Polling was conducted through ballot papers and recorded an overall voter turnout of 63.94 per cent, according to the State Election Commission Punjab.The Punjab local body election results are expected to shape the political mood in the state, with major parties including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) fighting hard to strengthen their urban base.Punjab election result 2026: Counting underway across 102 civic bodiesThe state election commission Punjab said counting is taking place at designated centres under strict supervision. Officials confirmed that two micro observers have been appointed for every counting centre to monitor the process directly under the district general observers.Authorities also restricted entry into counting halls, allowing access only to authorised personnel.The elections covered 1,897 wards and 3,833 polling booths across Punjab. A total of 7,554 candidates contested the Punjab local body polls 2026.The eight municipal corporations where elections were held include Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala and Pathankot.Punjab civic election 2026 turnout detailsAccording to official figures released by the state election commission Punjab, more than 22.38 lakh votes were cast during polling.Among all urban local bodies, Nagar Panchayats recorded the highest voter turnout at 76.18 per cent. Municipal Councils registered a turnout of 65.06 per cent, while Municipal Corporations recorded 59.91 per cent polling.Municipal Councils had the largest electorate, with more than 22.87 lakh voters. Municipal Corporations accounted for over 10.71 lakh electors, while Nagar Panchayats recorded over 1.41 lakh electors.Male voter turnout remained slightly higher than female participation across the state, while 78 votes were recorded under the ‘Others’ category.Punjab local body election results crucial for AAPThe Punjab local body election results are being viewed as a litmus test for the ruling AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The party is hoping to retain political momentum before the Assembly elections next year.Opposition parties, including Congress, BJP and SAD, alleged misuse of official machinery during the elections. The AAP government, however, rejected the allegations.Political observers believe the Punjab election result 2026 at the civic level could offer early signals about voter sentiment ahead of the bigger electoral battle in the state.Clashes reported during Punjab local body polls 2026The Punjab local body polls 2026 witnessed clashes and allegations of booth capturing at several locations during voting on Tuesday.In Raikot, Congress candidate Jagdev Singh Jagga from Ward Number 4 was allegedly attacked with sharp-edged weapons by a group of people. He sustained injuries and was admitted to a private hospital in Ludhiana.Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring condemned the attack and criticised the state government over the law and order situation.In Barnala, the husband of BJP candidate Deepinder Kaur from Ward Number 15 was allegedly assaulted after he raised allegations of bogus voting. Officials said he suffered injuries and was taken to hospital.A clash also broke out between supporters of SAD and AAP in Gidderbaha in Muktsar district during polling in Ward Numbers 18 and 19. SAD later accused AAP MLA Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon and others of booth capturing, assault and intimidation. However, officials denied claims of booth capturing.Tension was also reported in Samana in Patiala district, where supporters of rival political parties clashed and later threw stones at police personnel during polling in Ward Number 19. Police used cane charging to disperse the crowd, and polling was temporarily halted.In Majitha, supporters of SAD and AAP reportedly clashed during polling. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused the Punjab government of allowing violence and intimidation during the elections.Meanwhile, heated exchanges were reported between BJP and AAP supporters in Maur Mandi.Repolling demand raised in MohaliFormer deputy mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi demanded repolling in Mohali, alleging violation of ballot secrecy during the municipal corporation elections.Bedi claimed that ballot papers carried serial numbers identical to those on counterfoils, making it possible to trace voters’ choices. He submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission and senior officials, seeking a high-level inquiry into the matter.According to Bedi, the alleged issue was noticed while he was voting at a polling booth in Mohali’s Phase 3B2 area for Ward Number 10.He argued that the process compromised the secrecy of voting and cited provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, along with Supreme Court observations related to free and fair elections.Bedi also warned that he would move court if no action was taken by the authorities.Election results today live PunjabThe election results today live Punjab are expected to remain closely watched throughout the day as counting progresses across the state. Political parties are monitoring trends carefully, especially in urban centres where the contest is considered intense.The Punjab civic election 2026 is likely to play an important role in shaping political narratives ahead of next year’s Assembly elections, making the Punjab local body election results one of the most significant political developments in the state this year.Inputs from agencies