20,716 nominations valid for local bodies polls in Maha

As many as 20,716 nominations have been found valid for 3,750 seats in 165 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats, where the first phase of polling will be held on November 27.
State Election Commissioner J S Saharia said 24,191 nominations were received out of which 20,716 papers were valid after scrutiny.
Similarly, for 147 Municipal Council presidents posts, 2,374 nominations were received out of which 1,533 nominations were valid.
He said 70 per cent nominations and affidavits were received online.
Elections to 192 Municipal Councils and 20 Nagar Panchayats in Maharashtra are being held in four phases.
In the first phase, 147 Municipal Councils and 18 Nagar Panchayats as well as direct election to Municipal Council presidents post in 25 districts will be held on November 27.

The last date of filing of papers was October 29.

In Shirala situated in Sangli district, due to boycott call, not a single nomination has been received for 17 seats of the Nagar Panchayat, an official said.
Due to problems of power supply and Internet network in some areas, the condition of online nomination was relaxed.
Saharia said for the last three phases, the software system has been strengthened with setting up of help desks and e-mutation facilities.
Candidates will not experience any difficulty, he said, adding last date of withdrawal is tomorrow.
In places, where candidates have appealed in the court against the decision of returning officer about their nomination forms, withdrawals can be done till the third day after the decision is made on the appeal, said an official.