LARKANA: As many as 135 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the upcoming polls of 17 wards of Ratodero and Naundero Municipal Committee (MC) seats. After scrutiny 12 forms were rejected. In the forthcoming elections 41 candidates are contesting as independent candidates and four are journalists.
According to details, there are seven and ten wards in Naundero and Ratodero Municipal Committees respectively where 50 candidates have filled nomination papers for Naunder wards and 85 candidates for ten seats of Ratodero.
In Naundero for Ward No. 1, four candidates belonging to PPP, two PTI and one each of PPP-SB, SUP, and JUI-Fazal have filed their papers. For Ward-2, four candidates have filed papers which include two of PPP and one each of PTI and independent. Seven candidates have filed papers for Ward-3 among them 3 belong to PPP, two to PTI and one each of PPP-SB and JUI-F. Seven candidates have submitted forms on ward 4 including PPP 5, Qaumi Awami Tehreek 1 and 1 Independent. 9 candidates filed in Ward-5 including 3 each of PPP and independent and one each of PPP-SB, SUP and PTI. 4 candidates filed papers in Ward No. 6 including 2 of PPP and one each of PTI and Independent. On ward 7, ten candidates submitted papers, including 3 each of PPP and Independent, PTI 2, SUP and PPP-SB one each.
For the first time in the municipal elections in Naundero City, candidates from the PTI, SUP and QAT submitted forms for LB elections while the PTI is also contesting elections in two divided groups belonging to Senator Saifullah Abro and Sardar Ameer Baksh Bhutto and PPP-SB will also not have any alliance with any party. The biggest benefit of the split among the parties will go to Pakistan People’s Party candidates if their opponents failed to unite.
The PPP candidate on Ward 3 will face stiff competition with Ghulam Haider Narujo, a member of the PPP-SB’s CEC committee who also have rendered various social welfare services for the residents. Seven independent candidates will also contest LB elections in Naundero. Tough contest is also expected in Ratodero where apart from PPP, PPP-SB, candidates of PTI, Jamaat-e-Islami and 34 independents are also contesting along with four journalists.