The last date for filing nominations for Punjab Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections is 5 December 2025 and polling will be held on 14 December 2025. These elections have become highly controversial even during the nomination phase itself.
SNPNEWS.IN Report (Gurmail Kamboj): Allegations have been continuously surfacing since the start of nominations that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), using administrative machinery and muscle power, is trying to influence the elections.
On 4 December 2025, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) President Sukhbir Singh Badal shared an 18-minute audio clip on social media. The Akali Dal claims this is concrete proof of a conspiracy by the police, acting on instructions from the ruling party, to stop opposition candidates from filing nominations. The audio is allegedly from a conference call of police officers held on the night of 3 December.
In the clip, Patiala SSP Varun Sharma and several DSPs can allegedly be heard giving direct orders to:
- Tear up nomination papers of opposition (especially Akali Dal) candidates
- Prevent them from entering nomination centres
- Coordinate with AAP leaders
Sukhbir Badal called it “murder of democracy” and accused the police of openly colluding with AAP. The audio went massively viral within hours, triggering huge outrage on social media.However, Patiala Police immediately rejected it, terming the audio fake and AI-generated. An FIR has been registered under the IT Act against unidentified persons under the IT Act, and the police claimed they are fully committed to conducting free and fair elections.
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On 3 and 4 December, in Patiala and several other districts of Punjab:
- Akali Dal and Congress candidates were physically stopped from entering nomination centres.
- Nomination papers were openly torn in front of police
- AAP workers allegedly threatened candidates
- In many places in Patiala district, candidates were forced/withdrawn under pressure
Besides Akali Dal, Congress and BJP have also accused the local police and ruling-party MLAs of collusion.
On 4 December, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) filed a PIL in the Punjab & Haryana High Court demanding:
- FIR against Patiala SSP Varun Sharma
- Immediate suspension of the SSP
- Deployment of CRPF in Patiala district
The High Court has admitted the audio clip on record and issued notices, fixing the next hearing for 8 December 2025.
The Punjab State Election Commission has sought reports from Deputy Commissioners of Patiala and Tarn Taran, and has made videography of the entire nomination process mandatory.
So far, approximately 285 Zila Parishad and 1,713 Block Samiti nominations have been filed across the state.
Patiala Deputy Commissioner (and District Election Officer) Dr Preeti Yadav has refused to comment on the entire controversy.