Panchayat polls: 1012 candidates left in Zila Parishad fray

A total of 1012 candidates are in the fray for first phase of Panchayat Raj polls slated for January 16 in 412 Zila Parishad wards as the date of withdrawal of names ended today, an official of Rajasthan State Election Commission (RSEC) said here.
Of the total 1,137 contestants 115 candidates withdrew their names from Zila Parishad Members' election leaving, 1,022 candidates, the official said, adding of them (1022) ten candidates were eleted unopposed.
Election for Zila Parishad members for 412 wards would be held on January 16 in which 1012 contestants are in the fray, the official said.
On 2305 Panchayat Samiti members' poll, so far a report of 658 out of 6,609 candidates withdrew their nomination papers, he said, adding the final contestants' number were being tabulated.

In first phase the elections are held on 412 wards of Zila Parishad, 2305 Panchayat Samiti Members on January 16. Whereas the election for the post of 3562 Sarpanch and 39189 Panch would be held on January 18.
Second phase of the polls will be held on January 22 and third phase on January 30, he said, adding the notification to these polls will be issued separately on January 9 and January 17 respectively.

Besides, voting will be held on February 7 and 8 for electing 33 Zila Pramukh, 33 Up-Zila Pramukh, 295 Pradhan and as many Up-Pradhan and 1,013 Zila Parishad members.

A total of 36,844 polling booths have been set up for the three phase polling. EVM machines will be used in 16 out of 33 districts.
In the entire three phase polls, 6,258 Panchayat Samiti members, 9,872 Sarpanch and 10,9469 Panch would be elected. Over 3.28 crore voters are eligible for exercising their franchise.
Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls are held on political parties' symbols (BJP, Congress) while Sarpanch and Panch polls on non-political basis.