A total of 17,643 candidates are left in the fray for the elections to panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) in Kangra district after the completion of the process for the scrutiny and withdrawal of nomination papers. The PRI elections are slated to be held in Himachal Pradesh in three phases on May 26, 28 and 30. There are over 840 panchayats in Kangra, more than 300 Block Development Councils and 54 Zila Parisahd wards. District election officials said that 19,698 nomination papers were filed for various posts in the panchayati raj elections. Of these, 250 nominations were rejected during scrutiny while 1,805 candidates withdrew their papers.
Assistant Election Officer (Panchayat) Sachin Thakur said that for panchayat pradhan posts, 3,817 nominations were filed while 62 of these were rejected during scrutiny, 479 candidates withdrew their names. As a result, 3,276 candidates remained in the fray for the posts of panchayat pradhan.
For the post of up-pradhan, 4,212 nomination papers were submitted. After the rejection of 26 nominations and the withdrawal of papers by 508 candidates, 3,678 candidates are now in the fray.
Similarly, for the ward member posts, 9,799 nominations had been filed. During scrutiny, 145 nominations were rejected while 720 candidates withdrew their nominations. As a result, 8,934 candidates are contesting the elections for the ward member posts in the district.
For the post of panchayat samiti member, 1,604 nominations were filed. Of these, 14 nominations were rejected and 81 candidates withdrew their names, leaving 1,509 candidates in the contest.
Meanwhile, for the post of Zila Parishad member, a total of 266 nominations were submitted. Three nominations were rejected during scrutiny and 17 candidates withdrew their nominations. After the completion of the process, 246 candidates remain in the fray for zila parishad seats.
The Panchayati Raj elections are expected to witness keen contests across Kangra district, with a large number of candidates entering the electoral arena for various grassroots-level positions.
