MITHI, Aug 17: The polling staff and election material were despatched by the election commission functionaries on Wednesday for the local body polls in 21 union councils of Tharparkar district on Thursday for which 371 candidates, including 36 pairs of nazim and naib nazims are in contest, whereas nazim and naib nazims, of the Khushhal Pakistan Panel (Arbab-backed) have already been elected unopposed in 37 union councils out of 44 in four talukas.

According to figures obtained from the local election commission office, 120 candidates are to contest for Muslim general (male) seats, 34 for Muslim general (female), 88 for peasant-workers (male), 38 for peasant-workers (female), 55 for minority, 36 (18 pairs) for nazim and naib nazim seats, whereas 29 seats out of 572 have reportedly remained vacant owing to delay in issuance of notification in this regard.

A survey conducted by Dawn indicates that the Khushhal Pakistan Panel’s candidates are most likely to emerge victorious. Meanwhile the Awam Dost Panel’s candidates can hardly get a few seats in local body elections.

Union councils where contest for nazim and naib nazim seat is to take place on Thursday are Mithi and Malanhore Veena of Mithi taluka, Kaloi of Diplo taluka, Vejhiar, Rajoro, Khainsar and Mithrio Charan of Chhachhro taluka.

When contacted, Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, president of the PPP, Tharparkar, while offering his comments at the local body elections in Thar, alleged that a considerable number of candidates of the Awam Dost Panel (PPP-backed) were forced or threatened to withdraw or retire from nomination by the Arbabs and their henchmen.

As Tharparkar district is facing drought like situation and the election campaigning has remained at the low ebb, except in Mithi town, the turn out of voters is most likely to remain low at rural polling stations.

One pair of the Taraqi Passand Panel and one pair of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement are in the run for the posts of nazim and naib nazim in the union council of Mithi and Rajoro. However, their position is said to be weak. A tough contest for the UC nazim and naib nazim is in the Mithi union council where Haresh Kumar Lohana and Haresh Kumar Meghwar of the KPP are contesting against Bhagat Maturam and Tilok Chand of the ADP.