ATTOCK, Aug 8: Fifty-nine minority seats out of a total of 72 seats and 11 women seats, including three for Muslim (women) and eight for peasant worker (women), remained vacant in different union councils, while a total of 578 women are in the running against 288 seats of both categories in 72 union councils (UCs) of the district.

Each union council comprises 13 seats, including four general seats for Muslims, two for Muslim women members, two for male peasants/workers, two for women peasants/workers, one for minority member, one for nazim and one for naib nazim.

According to the tehsil-wise breakup of contesting candidates and the seats vacant in six tehsils of the district, Attock tehsil has a total of 398 candidates.

Thirty-four have filed papers for the office of nazim/naib nazim, 168 for the seats reserved for Muslim (men), 60 for Muslim (women), 81 for peasant worker (men), 34 for peasant worker (women) and 13 for minority in 11 union councils including, Attock-1, 2, 3, Mirza, Sarwala, Akhori, Baryar, Surgsallar, Golra, Kamra and Haji Shah. Six minority seats remained vacant in Attock tehsil.

In 14 union councils of Hazro Union Council, including Hazro- I, Hazro-II, Ghaurghashti, Shadikhan, Malikmala, Shamsabad, Farmuli, Bhader Khan, Haroon, Hameed, Ghakwani, Nartupa, Mullah Mansoor and Jahlalia, 411 candidates are in the running. Twenty- eight are running for the office of nazim/naib nazim, while as many as 187 have applied for seats reserved for Muslim (men), 48 for Muslim (women), 102 for peasant worker (men), 42 for peasant worker (women) and four for minority. Eleven seats for minority, two for Muslim (women) and three for peasant women remained uncontested.

In Farmuli and Malikmala union councils, candidates were already elected unopposed on the seats of nazim/naib nazim as per unofficial results, therefore, election of nazim/naib nazim will be held in the remaining 12 union councils.

In Hassanabdal tehsil, there are total 264 candidates in eight union councils including Hassanabdal-1, Hassanabdal-II, Burhan, Jhalu, Kot Sunghi, Kot Miahna, Pindmehri, Bhalarjogi, out of which 20 are contesting for the office of nazim/naib nazim, while 109 have applied for the seats reserved for Muslim (men), 41 for Muslim (women), 54 for peasant worker (men), 34 for peasant worker (women) and six for minority. Five minority seats remained vacant.

In Jand tehsil, there are 12 union councils including Jand-1, Lungher, Jhaba, Sughri, Nara, Thatta, Pind Sultani, Basal, Turab, Chab, Mukhad and Khnuda, where total 402 candidates are in the field out of which 33 are contesting for the office of nazim/naib nazim.

As many as 127 are contesting for the seats reserved for men, 60 for Muslim (women), 86 for peasant worker (men), 46 for peasant worker (women). No candidate is contesting on the minority seats, therefore, all 12 seats of minorities, one for Muslim (women) and one for peasant (women) remained uncontested.

In Pindigheb tehsil, a total of 325 candidates are in the field in 13 union councils including Pindigheb-I, Pindigheb-II, Mehra Sharif, Malhuwali, Chakki, Dhandi, Akhlas, Mianwala, Kharpah, Gharibwal, Khur, Ahmdal and Kamriyal out of which, 31 are contesting for the office of nazim/naib nazim, 130 for Muslim (men), 56 for Muslim (women), 63 for peasant worker (men), 43 for peasant worker (women) and two for minority. Similarly, 12 seats for minorities and two for peasant (women) also remained vacant in this tehsil.