114,154 remain in run for first phase of local government polls

As many as 114,154 candidates are in the run for first phase of Local Government elections to be held in 54 districts on August 18.
After the scrutiny and withdrawal process completed a couple of days back, the Election Commission of Pakistan prepared the final statement showing the number of contesting candidates.
According to details, these candidates will be contesting polls for six categories of Nazim and Naib Nazim, Muslim (General), Muslim (Women), Peasants and Workers, Peasants and Workers (Women) and Minority Communities.
Out of total 3,074 union council of first phase polls 1,654 are in Punjab, 589 in Sindh, 556 in the NWFP and 275 UCs are in Balochistan.
For Punjab, total 65,493 candidates will contest election with 4,580 candidates fighting for slots of Union Nazim and Naib Union Nazim, 31,169 for Muslim (General) category, 8,190 for Muslim (Women), 14,866 for Peasants and Workers, 5,463 for Peasants and Workers (Women) and 1,675 wi11 contest for the category of Minorities.
In Sindh, 20,823 candidates are finally in the run to contest election with 1,714 candidates contesting for the slot of Union Nazim and Naib Union Nazim, 8,733 against the seats for Muslim (General), 21,719 for Muslim (Women), 4,492 for Peasants and Workers, 1,991 for Peasants and Workers (Women) and 1,174 candidates Minority Communities.
In NWFP, 20,034 candidates will be finally contesting election with 1,938 candidates competing for the position of Union Nazim and Naib Union Nazim, 9,342 for Muslim (General) category, 2,160 for Muslim (Women), 4,987 for Peasants and Workers, 1.453 for Peasants and Workers (Women) and 154 candidates contesting election in Minority Communities category.
In Balochistan, 7,354 candidates would finally be in the run with 573 candidates fighting for the slot of Union Nazim and Naib Union Nazim, 31,059 for Muslim (General), 1,106 for Muslim (Women), 1,687 for Peasants and Workers, 874 for Peasants and Workers (Women) and 55 candidates will be contesting election on the seats for Minority Communities.
The Returning Officers for the first phase polls completed the process of nomination papers, scrutiny and the withdrawal during July 16 to 30.
Results for the first phase will be declared on August 20.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan has finalised all the arrangements to hold elections in free, fair, impartial and transparent manner.