Tarn Taran (Gurpreet Singh): The politically significant Tarn Taran Assembly by-election began on Tuesday morning with voters turning out under heavy security. The bypoll, which started at 7 a.m. and will continue till 6 p.m., is being seen as a major test for all key political players in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The seat fell vacant following the demise of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Kashmir Singh Sohal in June. The AAP is now working hard to retain the constituency, while the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are aiming to make inroads in this border district, where local issues often play a decisive role.
Election officials said a total of 1,92,838 people are eligible to vote — including 1,00,933 men, 91,897 women, and eight third-gender voters. The Election Commission has established 222 polling booths spread across 114 locations, of which 60 are urban and 162 rural. To improve voter experience, four of these have been designated as model booths, while three are ‘pink booths’ operated by women staff.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers to maintain peace and ensure smooth polling, given the constituency’s proximity to the international border. Officials reported that polling began peacefully in most areas with no major incidents in the early hours.
This bypoll has evolved into a three-way contest among the ruling AAP, the Congress, and the BJP. For the AAP, holding on to the seat would reaffirm its strength in rural Punjab, while the Congress hopes to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiments. The BJP, meanwhile, is eyeing a foothold in the region following its organizational expansion in the state.
The Tarn Taran constituency, known for its mix of urban and agrarian voters, often reflects the larger political undercurrents of Punjab. Analysts believe the outcome could provide early clues to how voters are responding to AAP’s governance and the opposition’s renewed outreach.
Key issues dominating the campaign include unemployment, drug abuse, agricultural distress, and demands for better infrastructure. Several voters expressed cautious optimism that the by-election would bring attention to the region’s long-standing problems.
Vote counting will be held on November 14, with results expected later the same day.
As polling continues through the day, the atmosphere remains charged yet orderly — a reflection of Tarn Taran’s pivotal role in shaping Punjab’s political narrative in the years to come.
