The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept the urban civic polls held in the last week of May in Punjab, but the vote share data released by the State Election Commission has provided a nuanced picture of voter preferences ahead of the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections. The ruling party secured over 50 percent of the votes in eight municipal councils and one nagar panchayat, while the Congress, which emerged as the second-largest party in terms of seats won, failed to cross the 50 percent mark in any civic body.
Vote Share Analysis
Among the eight municipal corporations, 75 councils, and 19 nagar panchayats, AAP's performance varied significantly. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which finished third in seat count, managed to secure over 50 percent vote share in the Sangat Municipal Council and Maluka Nagar Panchayat. In as many as 30 local bodies, SAD's vote share surpassed that of the Congress, even though the Congress won more wards overall. The Congress won 397 wards, while SAD won 192 out of 1,977 local body wards.
Congress and SAD Performance
The Congress achieved over 20 percent vote share in 46 bodies, with its highest share of 49.18 percent in Morinda, a stronghold of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. SAD crossed the 20 percent mark in 16 bodies, peaking at 50.79 percent in Sangat, Bathinda. AAP garnered over 40 percent votes in 24 local bodies, while the Congress and SAD each did so in five bodies, including Majitha, where SAD's vote share was higher than AAP's, but AAP won more seats. The BJP achieved over 40 percent only in Abohar Municipal Corporation.
BSP and Independents
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which fielded candidates in 96 bodies, recorded zero percent vote share in 45 of them. This is significant given that Dalits constitute 33 percent of Punjab's electorate and are a key focus for most parties. In several local bodies, the party with the highest vote share did not win the most seats. For instance, in Mehraj, AAP won the polls despite SAD having a higher vote share.
The BJP secured over 20 percent votes in just 10 civic bodies, including Abohar Municipal Corporation and Pathankot (32.8 percent). In four nagar panchayats – Joga, Kotha Guru, Kiratpur Sahib, and Maluka – the party drew a blank. Its highest vote share was 38.95 percent in Naya Gaon.
Independent candidates collectively garnered the highest vote share in several bodies: 92.88 percent in Rahon, 85.12 percent in Bareta, 69.3 percent in Goniana, 68.87 percent in Joga, and 63.55 percent in Noormahal. In seven bodies, independents won over 50 percent vote share, and a total of 251 independents won wards.
These vote share trends indicate that while AAP dominates in terms of seats, the opposition Congress and SAD retain significant support in certain areas, and independents remain a potent force in local politics.
