Panchayat Polls: 518 candidates in fray for 1st phase in Kathua

KATHUA: A total of 518 candidates including 405 candidates for Panch and 113 for Sarpanch`s election were in fray in block Bani and Duggan of Kathua under first phase of Panchayat Elections after the last date of withdrawal of nominations. Meanwhile, 39 Panchs and 1 Sarpanch was elected unopposed.
Moreover, election will be contested on 168 seats for Panchs and 11 seats for Sarpanchs during first phase of election, the DPEO informed .No nominations were filed on 2 seats for Panch`s election, he added.
The DPEO informed that a total of 30279 voters will exercise their right to vote under first phase comprising of 16092 male and 14187 female voters .All the necessary arrangements being made before hand to ensure smooth conduct of poll process and instructed the concerned to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct guidelines, he maintained.