AAP releases first list of 961 candidates for Punjab's Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti polls

The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday released its first list of 961 candidates for the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls, a move the state’s ruling party views as a prequel to the 2027 Assembly elections.

Elections to 22 Zila Parishads (excluding Mohali, where polls have been postponed) and more than 150 Panchayat Samitis will be held on December 14, with results to be declared on December 17.

With the polls scheduled just 15 months before the next Assembly elections, all parties are making significant efforts to consolidate their vote base.

Facing anti-incumbency, AAP is using the local body elections to strengthen its cadre on the ground, enabling more effective voter outreach ahead of the Assembly polls. Party leaders have been told the polls are a “test of their political mettle,” and the results will influence ticket allocations for the next Assembly election.

Since the announcement of the elections on November 28, ministers, ruling party MLAs and other leaders have intensified their activity in their respective constituencies. Prior to the announcement, the ruling party had also reorganised most blocks, a move expected to give it a slight advantage in the upcoming polls.

The nominations by all candidates must be filed by December 4. As of Tuesday, 26 candidates had filed their nominations for the Zila Parishad polls, while 115 candidates had filed for the Panchayat Samiti polls.

Meanwhile, State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari issued a show cause notice to Dera Bassi BDPO Baljit Singh Sohi for dereliction of duty, as he remained absent from his office on December 1, the first day of nominations, resulting in complaints from candidates who were unable to obtain their NOCs.