Maharashtra civic polls: 15,827 candidates in fray for first phase of elections

Mumbai: As many as 15,827 candidates are in the fray for the 3,706 seats spread over 164 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in Maharashtra, where the first phase of polling will be held on 27 November. For the post of Municipal Council president in 147 places, there are 1013 candidates, State Election Commissioner JS Saharia told reporters in Mumbai on Saturday. He said 147 Municipal Councils and 18 Nagar Panchayats were to vote in the first phase. However, 27 candidates have been declared elected unopposed. For Shirala Nagar Panchayat in Sangli district, not a single nomination was received. Hence, voting will be held in 3,706 seats for 164 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats, the official said. A total of 24,191 nominations were received. Out of this, 20,716 papers were found valid. As many as 4,889 candidates withdrew. For the Municipal Council presidents posts, 2374 nominations were received. As many as 1,533 papers were found valid while 520 withdrew. Voting will take place on 27 November and counting of votes will be taken up the next day.