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Election Summary Panchayat elections were held in Punjab, one of the northern states of India, on 26 of May. Average polling was recorded to be 75%.Accept some incidents of violence the election was largely peaceful. The polling started at 8a.m. and was scheduled to end by 4p.m.But voting continued even after the scheduled time and the voters were seen waiting in long queues for their turns to cast their votes.

Enthusiasm People were very much enthusiastic about the elections whether it were the elders or the young ones who were to cast their votes first time .People could be seen heading towards the village schools to cast their votes. The enthusiasm of the voters, scene at the election venues presented the view as if some village fare was being held there. Young ones were seen mobilizing the voters to cast their votes and the elders, who were even unable to walk, were seen being brought to the polling venues. At village level, during the Panchayat elections, people, always have detested the role of political parties whether it were the candidates or the voters, and have refrained from indulging in the party politics. It was evident from the scene as very less party signs or flags were seen throughout the whole process.

Oldest Democratic Tradition The word Panchayat is derived from the word ‘Panch’ means Five. So the literal meaning of the word ‘Panchayat’ is ‘a group of five’. Panchayat is not the name of an elected body whose members are elected by the people of some village but it is a tradition that is being followed by the people of India for times unknown. In the older times people used to choose their wise elders as their Panchas(panchayat members) and Sarpanch(head of the panchayat).During the rule of Muslims and British East India company  the tradition was largely prevalent though it largely depended on the government that ruled the country . After independence the whole process of electing the Panchayat changed. Now the Panchayats are elected in a democratic way by the people of the villages. People not only take part in these elections but they take part in it enthusiastically

Local Governing Body Panchayat works like a local governing body at village level. It handles almost all the issues that affect the village whether it is a family dispute, dispute among families or individuals, or the development of the village, all is handled by the panchayat. This is the sign of deep roots of democracy that India has.