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135 candidates in fray for U.P. panchayat polls

Elections of Zilla Panchayat chairmen in 56 districts of the State

LUCKNOW: Over four months long process of Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls would come to an end today with elections of Zilla Panchayat chairmen in 56 districts of the State.

A total of 135 candidates are in fray for the coveted post, which carry the status of State Minister.

Tedious process

The tedious process of the panchayat polls started in August last year with the election of gram pradhans and gram panchayat members in the first phase followed by election of Zila Panchayat members in the second phase.

The third and the final phase would end today, State Election Commissioner Aparmita Prasad Singh said here on Friday.

The results of the polls would be declared by the evening.

Unopposed

Of the 70 U.P. districts, 13 Zila Panchayat chairmen were to be elected unopposed, while in Mau district the election process was discontinued due to communal riots.

Thirteen districts where the Zila Panchayt chiefs are headed towards unopposed elections included Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Bulandshahar, Ferozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Etawah, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Unnao, Hardoi, Chandauli and Sant Ravidas Nagar.

To a query with regards to horse trading in the polls, the SEC said the Commission would act only when complaints were received by it.

``The SEC had not received any complaint of such nature from the any district including the ones where the Zila Panchayat chiefs are to be elected unopposed.''

Complaint

According to State election office sources, although the elections were not being held on political affiliations, still most of the chairmen to be elected unopposed were supported by the ruling Samajwadi Party.- UNI

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135 candidates in fray for U.P. panchayat polls

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