NAUSHAHRO FEROZE, July 30: About 170 candidates for the seats of nazims and 1,836 candidates for the seats of councillors will contest local body elections in 51 union councils of the district on Aug 18. About 25 candidates for the seats of nazims and naib nazims and 242 for councillors withdrew their candidature.

In all, 205 candidates for the seats of nazims and naib nazims and 2,078 for the seats of councillors have filed their nominations in 51 union councils in the district. The election commission has set up 497 polling stations in the district of which 112 polling stations with 229 for male and 224 for female booths in Naushahro Feroze taluka, 122 polling stations in Moro taluka with 244 booths for male and 244 booths for female.

In Bhirya taluka, there will be 92 polling stations with 225 for male and 225 for female booths, in Kandiaro taluka, 99 polling stations with 192 for male and 182 for female booths and in Mehrabpur taluka, 72 polling stations with 155 for male and 67 for female booths. The nazim for union council of Bhirya town, Imam Ali Shah, and the nazim for the union council of Halani, Syed Abrar Ali Shah, were unofficially elected unopposed.