59 nominations withdrawn; 114 contending

Withdrawal of nominations for the local body elections of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) was completed on Friday. 59 candidates withdrew their nominations, leaving 114 candidates, as against 173 nominations that were filed. P Vittal, Returning Officer, Secunderabad Cantonment, said, “Withdrawals of nominations were done by the candidates peacefully on their own will. 114 candidates are left in fray for all eight wards in the SCB.”

In Ward No. 1: 13 out of 29 candidates withdrew; Ward No. 2: 10 out of 33 candidates withdrew; Ward No 3: 2 out of 17 candidates withdrew; Ward No. 4: 4 out 14 candidates; Ward No. 5: 13 out of 31 candidates withdrew; Ward No. 6: 9 out of 28 candidates withdrew; Ward No. 7: 7 out of 13 candidates withdrew; and in Ward No. 8: 1 out 8 candidates withdrew their nominations.

On Saturday allotment of symbols will be made to the candidates as per standard procedure and election code and conduct. It is the first time that Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) are going to be used in these elections in 57 cantonments out of the total 62 in India. Use of EVMs would make counting of votes faster and also reduce manpower required for polls, besides reducing the possibility of malpractice. North Zone police made elaborate arrangements as precautionary measure to ensure peaceful withdrawal of nominations.