India, May 26 -- Violence marred the Punjab municipal elections on Tuesday, leaving a Congress candidate seriously injured in Ludhiana's Raikot and triggering stone-pelting between police and voters in Samana sub division of Patiala district.

Despite the tension, voting was underway across 103 municipal bodies with voters braving the heat to exercise their franchise, particularly in Ludhiana, Muktsar, and Faridkot districts by mid-afternoon.

In Ludhiana district the average turnout by 2pm was 44.09% with Payal leading at 59.32%, followed by Raikot at 49.11%, Samrala 48.94%, Doraha 47.97%, Jagraon 44.44%, and Khanna 40.43%.

In Muktsar district, Gidderbaha recorded 52.09% polling followed by Malout at 48.98% and Muktsar at 46.95%. In Far...