September 24, 2005	Saturday	Sha'aban 19, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 23: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday announced that 426 candidates are in the run for 109 posts of district nazims in the Oct 6 indirect local body elections, 2005. Similarly, 1,449 candidates are contesting for 389 tehsil/town nazim posts in the third phase of elections.

Out of 426 aspirants for the posts of district nazims 134 are in the field from the Punjab, 87 from Sindh, 93 from NWFP, and 112 from Balochistan.

Likewise for 389 tehsil towns 557 candidates are vying from the Punjab, 381 from Sindh, 259 from NWFP, and 252 from Balochistan.

For the city district 4,026 women are in the run for 2,027 reserved seats for women, while 2,320 peasants/workers are contesting for 310 reserved seats for them, whereas 849 candidates from the minority communities are participating for 310 reserved seats.

In the tehsil/town councils 4,768 candidates are in the run for 2,027 reserved seats for women, 3,258 candidates for 450 reserved seats for peasants/workers and 1,252 candidates for 450 reserved seats for minority communities.

Meanwhile, Secretary Election Commission Kanwar Mohammad Dilshad said that the Election Commission had always welcomed the national and international observers for the election process.

He said in the first two phases some international observers visited different polling stations of their choice in all the four provinces. Generally their reports were positive, though some complaints were pointed out and observations were made which the commission examined and appropriate actions and recommendations were in line, he added.

The commission made all necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of polling during which 900,000 officials were engaged for duty at various polling stations.

Separate polling booths with female polling staff were provided for women voters and where it was possible, exclusive female polling stations were set up.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar also took serious note of some reports regarding the ban on women participation in the election process, as a result of which a large number of women filed their nomination papers from conservative areas.

Even on receipt of reports from the district returning officers after elections that in some areas women were prevented from casting votes, re-polling was ordered in those union councils.

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