Punjab: AAP takes an early lead, 195 candidates elected unopposed, over 9,500 candidates in the fray.

Punjab: The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has gained an early advantage over its opponents in the district council and block committee elections scheduled for December 14, as all but one of the candidates elected unopposed belong to the party. Election officials have declared 15 district council and 181 block committee members elected unopposed. The state has 357 district council and 2,863 block committee seats. Approximately 9,500 candidates remain in the fray for the rural polls. This comes amidst allegations from opposition parties that ruling party workers prevented their leaders from filing nomination papers in several places. State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary said the Election Commission acted with complete impartiality and took strict action against erring officials. “In Amloh, Panchayat Officer Balpinder Singh was transferred as he was found to be involved in political activities. Earlier, an officer in Dera Bassi was issued a show-cause notice for being absent during office hours,” he said. “He has given his explanation to the DC Mohali, who will investigate and respond to the commission,” Chaudhary added. According to data available with The Tribune, 15 district council candidates – 12 in Tarn Taran and three in Amritsar – have been declared elected unopposed. 1,265 candidates remain in the fray. Of the 181 Panchayat Samiti candidates elected unopposed, 180 belong to the AAP, with 98 elected in Tarn Taran, 63 in Amritsar, 17 in Hoshiarpur (13 from the Chabbewal assembly constituency alone), and two in Malerkotla. One independent candidate was elected unopposed in Nawanshahr. A total of 8,314 candidates remain in the fray. Meanwhile, with just 14 months left for the state elections, the AAP has launched an aggressive campaign. All MLAs, along with constituency in-charges, have been told that their candidature in the next state elections will depend on their ability to secure victories for the party in these polls.