KARACHI, July 31: A total of 8,464 candidates are left in the run against 2,314 seats in 178 union councils in the Karachi city district where elections are scheduled for August 18, in the first phase of the local government elections 2005.

The final list of candidates that was displayed by returning officers concerned indicated that 2,318 candidates were competing for 546 seats in 42 UCs in Karachi West.

The highest number of candidates is for the Muslim general seats where 1,109 candidates are fighting for 168 seats while there are 312 candidates against 84 Muslim women seats. About 507 and 217 candidates were competing for 84 peasants/workers and peasants/workers women seats respectively, and 68 against 42 seats for minority candidates.

Similarly, 195 joint panels are vying for 42 nazim and naib-nazim offices.

In Karachi Central, where the strength of the UCs is equal to that in Karachi West, the total number of candidates in the run is 1,431.

According to details, there are 542 candidates against 168 seats of Muslim general seats, 219 contestants for 84 Muslim women seats, 273 for 84 peasants/workers seats, 192 for 84 peasants/workers women seats, and 68 candidates for 42 minority seats. While there are 137 panels contesting for 42 joint offices of nazim and naib-nazim.

In Karachi South, there are 1,399 candidates against 351 seats in 27 UCs.

According to the break-up, there are 586 candidates against 108 Muslim general seats, 167 against 54 Muslim women seats, 306 against 54 peasant/workers seats, 123 against 54 peasants/ workers women seats, and 86 candidates against 27 seats. While there are 131 joint panels contesting for 27 offices of nazim and naib nazim.

Similarly in Karachi East, there are 1,861 candidates in the field for 598 seats in 46 UCs.

Some 740 candidates are competing for 184 Muslim general seats, 285 for 92 Muslim women seats, 378 for 92 seats of peasants/workers, 208 for 92 seats of peasants/workers women, and 74 are contending for 46 seats of minorities.

While 176 panels are in the field for 46 joint panels of nazim and naib nazim. Whereas in Malir, a total of 1,455 candidates are in the run for 273 seats in 21 UCs.

Some 630 candidates are competing for 84 Muslim General seats, 189 for 42 Muslim women seats, 339 for 42 peasants/workers seats, 130 for 42 peasants/workers women seats, and 70 candidates are in the field for 21 minorities’ seats. About 97 panels are contending for the offices of 21 nazim and naib nazim offices.

VACANT SEATS: In the first phase of the local government elections to be held in 11 out of 23 districts of Sindh scheduled for August 18, a total of 76 seats have been left vacant after respective nominees withdrew their forms.

The highest number of vacant seats is 22 in the Jacobabad District, followed by 13 in Tharparkar and 12 in Umerkot.

The category-wise details of vacant seats indicates three seats for peasants/workers women and four for minority seats in Thatta district; one seat for peasants/workers women in Ghotki district; and one and two seats of peasants/workers women and minorities respectively in Naushero Feroze district.

Similarly, four Muslim women seats, eight peasants/workers seats and 10 minority seats have gone vacant in the Jacobabad district; and one seat of Muslim women, one peasant/workers women seat and three minority seats in Kashmore district.

Likewise, four minority women seats have been left vacant in Mirpurkhas district; while all 12 seats of minorities’ women are going uncontested in the Umerkot district.

In Sanghar District, the number of vacant seats includes four for peasants/workers women, three for minorities and one for minorities’ women; while in Tharparkar, two Muslim women seats, one peasants/workers women seat and 10 minorities’ seats have gone vacant.

PHASE II: In the phase II of the local government elections scheduled for August 25 in

12 districts of Sindh, a total of 437 objections were filed by voters.

According to details, 77 objections were filed against candidates contesting Muslim general seats, 17 against those competing for Muslim women seats, 85 against candidates for peasants/workers, 18 against contestants for peasants/workers women, and 12 against candidates for minority seats. Besides, some 288 objection were filed against nazim and naib nazim panels.

District-wise, the highest number of objections was filed in Larkana with 88 objections, followed by Dadu 56, Khairpur 54, Nawabshah 52, Shikrapur 47, Hyderabad 39, Badin 38, Jamshoro 18, Shahadadkot 16, Sukkur 14, Tando Muhammad Khan 13 and two in Matiari.

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