Budgam, Dec 04: Parnewa and Sukhnag Panchayat blocks on Wednesday joined other 11 blocks of Budgam where polling could not be held for most of the seats in the ongoing panchayat elections as only less than seven percent seats went for polls.
The overall polling percentage in Parnewa and Sukhnag stood at 13.10 percent with 1918 voters turning to cast their ballots out of 14638, official figures said.
In Bugroo-A Panchayat Halqa, less number of votes — 68 out of 1448 were polled, while most votes — 349 out of 906 were witnessed in Bugroo-B.
Over 93 percent of the seats either are lying vacant or were won by candidates unopposed, whereas 11 Sarpanch and eight Panch seats witnessed voting out of 30 and 250 respectively in two blocks of Budgam.
A total of 10 contestants were in field for four Sarpanch seats and 15 for seven Panch wards in Nagam. While as 14 candidates were contesting for seven Sarpanch and two for single Panch seats in Sukhnag.
Parnewa consists of 11 Sarpanch Halqas and 101 Panch wards. While Sukhnag comprises of 19 Sarpanch Halqas and 149 Panch wards.
In Parnewa, 23 nominees filed papers for Sarpanch seats and 61 for Panch wards, among these 11 Sarpanch and 25 Panch aspirants withdrew their candidature. Currently, five Sarpanch and 73 Panch seats lie unrepresented.
In Sukhnag, 23 aspirants submitted papers for Sarpanch seats and 60 for Panch wards. Candidature of one Panch was rejected and eight contestants withdrew. Also, three Sarpanch and 99 Panch wards remained uncontested.
Sukhnag is the lone Panchayat block in district Budgam where no Sarpanch candidate withdrew after filing of nomination papers.
Also, two Sarpanchs, 21 Panchs in Parnewa and nine Sarpanchs and 49 Panchs in Sukhnag won uncontested.
