ISLAMABAD, Aug 19: A total of 4039 candidates, including full panels in 76 districts, returned unopposed during the first phase of local government elections held in 53 districts of the country on Thursday.

1,539 individual candidates in Punjab, 991 in Sindh, 831 in NWFP and 675 in Balochistan returned unopposed in all the six categories of Union Councils. While in 76 Union Councils whole panels, including Nazim and Naib Nazim returned unopposed. Of them, 35 panels were elected unopposed in the Union Councils of Sindh, one in NWFP and 40 in Balochistan.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdual Hameed Dogar announced the first unofficial result at the Election Commission Secretariat on Thursday night.

He said the overall polling remained peaceful across the country while incidents of clash among rivals were reported from some areas of the country.

“People took keen interest in the polling and there was no complaint of rigging,” he said while referring to his visit to Multan and Karachi on the polling day.

He foresaw voters’ turn-out to be 50 per cent and said the actual turn-out could be ascertained once the results were complete.

He said the election process was also appreciated by members of international media as the administration in the four provinces had made elaborate security arrangements.

The Acting CEC announced the first result from Sargodha district Union Council No 105 (Chokera) where Mian Muhammad Safdar Kaliar and Malik Muhammad Saleem returned as Nazim and Naib Nazim respectively.