PESHAWAR, Sept 15: Over 3,190 candidates, backed by different election groups, have filed nomination papers for different categories in the third phase of the local government elections in the 24 districts of the NWFP. Among them, 1,404 nomination papers were filed for the posts of district nazims and reserved seats for women, peasants/workers and minorities in the district councils.

Similarly, 1,791 candidates submitted papers for the elections of 54 tehsil and town councils in the 24 districts.

In Peshawar city district, 11 candidates, including a Sikh, submitted the papers for the slot of district nazim, according to the Election Commission.

About 72 candidates filed papers for 30 reserved seats for women in the district council and 55 submitted papers for five reserved seats for peasants/workers.

The district council has five reserved seats for minority communities against which 18 nomination papers were submitted.

Various political groups and independent panels have entered into alliances and fielded their joint candidates for the slot of district, town and tehsil nazims in the 24 districts.

In Peshawar district, the PPP, PPP (S), JUI (F) and PML (N) have made alliance against Jamaat Islami and Awami National Party. In the earlier two phases of the elections, Watan Dost, Awam Dost, Muttahida, Al-Khidmat, Khushhal Pakistan, Taraqqi Pasand and Watan Nawaz groups emerged victorious in the NWFP.

Data compiled by the Election Commission suggests that apart from Peshawar city district, in the rest of the 23 districts, 145 nomination papers were filed for the slot of district nazim. About 596 women have submitted nomination papers for 296 reserved seats in the 23 districts.

Election groups have fielded 419 candidates for 43 reserved seats for peasants/workers in the districts. Similarly, 88 minority candidates have applied for 43 reserved seats.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will begin on Friday across the province and appeals against acceptance or rejection of the papers can be filed on Sept 18. The third phase of the elections will be held across the country on October 6.

Twenty-six candidates are vying against four seats of town nazims in the Peshawar city district. Six papers each were filed for the posts of nazims of Peshawar Town-I and II whereas seven each nomination papers were filed for the post of Nazim Town-III and Town-IV.

About 58 women have filed nomination papers against 30 seats reserved for women in the four town councils. Total 47 candidates have filed papers against four seats of peasants/workers in the four town councils whereas 16 papers were filed for the four reserved seats minority communities.