KARACHI, March 26: Political parties have entered the fray for the non-party local bodies' by-elections for 611 seats to be held in the province on Sunday.

Candidates in over 50 per cent of the 1,566 constituencies have returned unopposed and by-polls in 150 other constituencies are not being held for want of candidates.

Following the murder of an MPA and the consequent political agitation in Karachi, tension has gripped election campaigns in certain constituencies. But political parties are keeping tabs on the political temperature.

Although the by-elections are being held on a non-party basis, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has released a list of candidates who enjoy support of the party while other parties appear reluctant to release their lists.

In Karachi district, the by-elections will be held for 12 vacant seats of nazim against which there are 69 candidates in the run. Against nine seats of naib nazim there are 23 aspirants.

There are 123 candidates in the field against 25 general seats of Muslims and 72 candidates against 23 Muslim women's seats. Against 13 reserved seats for peasants and workers, 43 candidates are competing while against 33 peasant and women workers' seats there are 90 candidates.

Out of 37 minority seats, which were vacant, 23 have returned unopposed, and against the remaining 13 seats 37 candidates are in the run. North Nazimabad Town: A detailed study shows that by-elections will be held against one seat of peasant/worker in UC-1 where five candidates are in the run.

In UC-3 two candidates are standing against the vacant seat of naib nazim. In UC-8 against the vacant seat of nazim, seven candidates are in the run. New Karachi Town: In UC-3 against one Muslim general seat there are eight candidates, and against one minority seat there are two candidates.

In UC-5 against one Muslim women's seat there are two candidates while against two peasant/worker seats there are five candidates. Two candidates are contesting for one peasant/worker women's seat. Against one minority seat there are two candidates.

In UC-6 against the vacant sea of nazim there are five candidates, and against one Muslim women's seat there are four candidates. In UC-7 eight candidates are competing against one general seat of Muslims, and four candidates are standing against one peasant/worker women's seat.

In UC-8 against the seat of nazim there are six candidates, against two Muslim general seats nine candidates, against one Muslim women seat four candidates, against one peasant/worker seat four candidates and against one peasant/worker women's seat there are two candidates.

In UC-10 against one seat of nazim five candidates are running, and against one minority seat there are two candidates. In UC-12 against two seats of peasant/worker women there are four candidates. In UC-13 against one general seat of Muslims there are six candidates.

Gulberg Town: In UC-5 against one seat of naib nazim there are two candidates. Liaquatabad Town: In UC-1 there are three candidates against one peasant/worker seat, and five contestants are standing against one peasant/worker women's seat.