No polling held in Budgam, Rathsun blocks; 75% Sarpanch Halqas, 98% Panch wards remain vacant
Budgam and Rathsun blocks boycott Panchayat elections
Budgam, Nov 20: As the Panchayat elections in Kashmir recorded brisk polling in the first two phases baring south Kashmir’s Anantnag; Budgam and Rathsun blocks witnessed no polling in the second phase on Tuesday.
No nominations were filled for most of the Sarpanch and Panch seats here in twin blocks, while as very few candidates were contesting unopposed.
According to concerned Block Development Officers (BDOs), Budgam has 23 Sarpanch Halqas with 171 Panch Wards, while Rathsun has 10 Sarpanch Halqas with 86 Panch wards.
In Budgam, no nominations were filled for 18 Sarpanch Halqas and 168 Panch, while seven Sarpanch Halqas and 84 Panch wards in Rathsun remained vacant, the BDOs said.
They added that five Sarpanch candidates in Budgam and three in Rathsun were elected unopposed, while three Panch nominees in Budgam and two in Rathsun also won uncontested.
Among these, only six nominees had filed nominations for Sarpanch seats in Budgam and four in Rathsun. One each candidate from twin blocks also withdrew their candidature.
For the Panch seats, four each candidates had submitted nominations in Budgam and Rathsun respectively. The papers of one Panch contestant were rejected in Budgam, while two nominees have withdrawn from Rathsun.
It is pertinent to mention that the recent municipal elections in Budgam district were also held only in one ward among 72 as other wards either did not find candidates or nominees won unopposed.
Whereas, 30.14 percent of polling was recorded in Khansahib in the first phase of Panchayat elections held last week.
Meanwhile, the Soibugh and Sursyar blocks of the district are scheduled to go for polls in the third phase of nine-phased election on November 24.
