Supreme Court Orders Repoll in 50 Punjab Municipal Wards Over Vitiated Elections

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday ordered a repoll in 50 municipal wards in Punjab, citing a "vitiated" election process that could have compromised the integrity of local polls. The directive follows investigations that uncovered irregularities in voter registration and ballot handling, raising doubts about the validity of the results. The court has set a timetable for the fresh elections, which will be conducted under tighter scrutiny and enhanced security measures. Political parties contesting the municipal elections have expressed varied reactions, with some welcoming the move as a safeguard of democracy and others questioning its timing. The decision is expected to impact the composition of local bodies and could influence upcoming state-level political dynamics.