Supreme Court sets aside elections in 50 wards in Punjab, orders fresh polls
The Supreme Court of India has ordered fresh elections in 50 municipal wards in Punjab after a commission found evidence of widespread violence and obstruction during the 2024 nomination process. The court has mandated that the re-election process be videographed and overseen by high court observers to ensure transparency.
Why it matters
This ruling reinforces the judicial oversight of local democratic processes and sets a precedent for addressing electoral malpractice at the municipal level.
The Supreme Court has ordered fresh elections in 50 municipal wards in Punjab after a fact-finding commission found "widespread obstruction during the nomination process" in the local body polls.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana set aside elections in 50 wards – 28 in Patiala district and 22 in Moga.
The top court passed the order after accepting the findings of a one-member commission headed by former High Court judge Nirmaljit Kaur.
The local body elections took place on December 21, 2024.
The commission was appointed on March 24, 2025, and it submitted its report on November 18, 2025.
"The principal finding of the Commission is of widespread obstruction during the nomination process, whereby nomination papers were snatched, torn or destroyed, and candidates were assaulted, detained or threatened.”
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