2012 Punjab Legislative Assembly election

The Punjab legislative assembly election, 2012 was held on 30 January 2012, to elect 117 members to the 14th Punjab Legislative Assembly. The results of the election were announced on 6 March 2012. The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal – Bharatiya Janata Party alliance led by Parkash Singh Badal won the elections.

Background
Punjab have tradition of transfer of power every 5 years between Shiromani Akali Dal and Indian National Congress but this election of 2012 is different from others where ruling party again came to power

2012 Assembly Elections in Punjab received attention for being the first elections after reorganisation of Punjab in 1966 to witness the return of an incumbent party.

This elections also saw the emergence of new political leadership, like rise of Sukhbir Singh Badal and the rise and fall of Manpreet Singh Badal, the founder of the Peoples Party of Punjab.

Religion and Caste Data
Religion Data

As per the 2011 census, Caste Data


 * 1) Dalits (Scheduled Castes) constitute 31.94% of the population, the highest percentage amongst all the states.
 * 2) Other Backward Classes (OBCs) like -Sainis, Sunar, Kambojs, Tarkhans/Ramgarhias, Gurjars, Kumhars/Prajapatis, Telis, Banjaras, Lohars constitute 31.3% of the population.
 * 3) Jat-Sikhs comprise 21% of the population while other forward castes (general category) - Brahmins, Khatris/Bhapas, Bania, Thakurs/Rajputs constitute around rest.
 * 4) As of 2016, Government of India has not publicly released Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 caste population data for every single non-SC/ST castes (General castes, OBC/EBCs) in India.

Timeline of events
Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Punjab 2012 

Others
Source:

Opinion Polls
Most of the opinion polls predicted that Congress will win the election. They were proved wrong as Congress finished as the runner up.

Exit Polls
2012 exit polls for Punjab Assembly Elections results.

Result by region
Among parties: