5774 elected unopposed in Arunachal rural polls

Itanagar, May 15 (UNI) Altogether 5,774 candidates from various political parties, including Independents, were elected unopposed for the May 26 Panchayat polls in Arunachal Pradesh.

The State Election Commission (SEC) sources here today said that of the total uncontested candidates, 33 were elected unopposed as Zila Parishad Member (ZPM), 787 as Anchal Samiti Member (ASM) and 4,954 as Gram Panchayats (GP).

However, reports from East Kameng and West Siang districts so far, sources added.

Of the total 161 ZPM seats, election would be held for 127 seats, while out of 1,779 ASM seats polling would be held for 991 and out of total 7,423 GP, elections would be held for 2,306.

Moreover, bypolls would be held for one ZPM, one ASM and 163 GP seats, which were vacant following non-filing and cancellation of nominations, sources added.

The ruling Congress has fielded its candidates in all the seats while Opposition BJP in two-third seats, followed by the NCP, People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) and Independents.

Altogether 5.40 lakh people will exercise their franchise in 1852 polling booths of which 80 were identified as hyper-sensitive and 57 sensitive.

Though the ruling Congress is seen to be confident enough to get a clean sweep in the three-tier rural polls, the opposition BJP was also claiming to win the majority of seats.

In most of the seats BJP candidates would lock horns with the Congress while in some seats it would be straight fight between the Congress and Independents.

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