The High Court has listed the matter for hearing ahead of the counting exercise, with judges expected to examine the petition on December 16
Punjab Rural Polls: Congress Moves HC Over Transparency in Vote Counting
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a direction for videography of the vote-counting process for rural local body elections. He underscored concerns over transparency and fairness in the vote-counting process. The petition was filed on December 15, 2025, with requests that the counting of votes for zila parishad and block samiti polls scheduled on December 17 be videographed to safeguard the credibility of the electoral exercise.
Warring has argued in his plea that the absence of mandatory videography leaves the counting process vulnerable to manipulation, and it also erodes public confidence in rural democracy, especially given the highly contested nature of the polls. Nikhil Ghai, his counsel, submitted that video documentation would serve as a record to dispel any doubts and ensure transparency in the unfolding of the counting proceedings.
The High Court has listed the matter for hearing ahead of the counting exercise, with judges expected to examine the petition on December 16, as per court proceedings. According to political observers, if the court grants the request, it could set a precedent for broader judicial oversight in documenting rural elections, an issue that has gained traction amid rising electoral disputes across states.
The petition comes against the backdrop of serious allegations of malpractice during the electoral process, levelled by opposition parties against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab. The Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have maintained that their candidates and workers faced intimidation during nomination filings and polling, party leaders have claimed. An alleged audio clip involving the Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police discussing favoured outcomes for AAP drew criticism and was flagged during earlier court hearings, as noted during previous legal proceedings.
According to official polling data, these rural local body elections, held on December 14, recorded a voter turnout of approximately 48%, significantly lower than in previous cycles.
According to political analysts, as the High Court prepares to deliberate on the petition, all eyes are on the judiciary’s response to demands for enhanced transparency in counting procedures, a matter that could influence the perception of electoral fairness in Punjab and beyond.
Source: Hindustan Times
