Zilla parishad, panchayat samiti elections tomorrow

Mumbai, Mar 10 (UNI) Dubbed ''mini assembly elections'', 27 zilla parishads and 310 panchayat samitis in Maharashtra will go to the polls tomorrow.

The elections could prove an acid test for the ruling Congress-NCP combine which is facing flak for load-shedding and for farmers' suicides in the state.

That apart, the war of words between the two ruling parties has also bruised the alliance, and the Congress and NCP are contesting against one another in most of the zilla parishad and panchayat samiti wards. The Shiv Sena and the BJP, on the other hand, have worked out a successful seat adjustment in nearly all the wards.

Elections are being held to 1636 wards of 27 zilla parishads and 3258 wards of 310 panchayat samitis. Over 3.45 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in tomorrow's polling.

Electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used during tomorrow's polling. Counting of votes will be done on March 12.

UNI