ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: As many as 3,174 candidates returned unopposed in the second phase of local bodies elections held in 55 districts of the country on Thursday. Out of the total, 203 nazims/naib nazims and 206 Muslim general councillors returned unopposed.

Similarly, 626 Muslim women, 179 peasants/workers, 688 minority communities’ candidates and 1,272 peasants/workers (women) returned unopposed.

For nazim/naib nazim slots, 66 candidates returned unopposed in the Punjab, 41 in Sindh, 17 in NWFP and 79 in Balochistan. For the slot of Muslim (general) councillor, 20 candidates returned unopposed in the Punjab, 24 in Sindh, 24 in NWFP, and 138 in Balochistan. Out of the total, 249 Muslim (women) candidates returned unopposed in the Punjab, 89 in Sindh, 176 in NWFP and 112 in Balochistan.

For peasants/workers slots, 33 candidates returned unopposed in the Punjab, 39 in Sindh, 20 in NWFP and 87 in Balochistan. As many as 667 candidates returned unopposed for the slot of peasants/workers (women) in the Punjab, 222 in Sindh, 270 in NWFP and 113 in Balochistan.—APP