A total of 213 candidates remain in the fray after the scrutiny and withdrawal of nomination papers for elections to five civic bodies scheduled for May 26. The district election office stated that 172 candidates withdrew their nominations on Tuesday.
Earlier, the election office had rejected 72 nomination papers after they were found invalid on technical grounds.
A total of 467 aspirants had filed nominations for the 67 seats across five local bodies, including three municipal councils — Jandiala Guru, Majitha and Ramdass — and two nagar panchayats, Ajnala and Rayya.
Among the municipal councils, Jandiala Guru received 82 nomination papers, of which 80 were accepted. Following the withdrawal of 37 nominations, 43 candidates remain in the contest. Majitha received 82 nomination papers, out of which 74 were accepted after eight rejections. Following the withdrawal of 27 candidates, 45 candidates remain in the fray, while two seats have been declared elected unopposed.
Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that nomination papers of party candidates from four wards were rejected. He accused the ruling party of misusing power and claimed it was done because the AAP had anticipated defeat in the municipal elections.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that no nomination papers of opposition candidates were rejected in the Ramdass and Ajnala local bodies. He said the AAP would seek votes from the public based on its performance report of the last four years. Dhaliwal also criticised Congress and SAD leaders for allegedly ignoring the development of both towns during their respective governments.
Among the nagar panchayats, Ajnala recorded the highest number of nominations at 125. After scrutiny, 118 papers were accepted and seven were rejected. Following withdrawals, 66 candidates remain in the contest. In Rayya, 88 nomination papers were received, of which 49 were rejected, leaving 39 valid nominations. After withdrawals, only 15 candidates remain in the fray, while eight candidates have been elected unopposed.
Officials said the scrutiny process was conducted peacefully and in accordance with election rules. Necessary information has also been shared with election observers and district authorities, they added.
