Over 1,700 in the run for LG seats in Tharparkar district.

MITHI -- Candidates have geared up their campaign for the first phase of local government election in Tharparkar district by holding corner meetings and door-to-door canvassing in an attempt to garner voters' support ahead of June 26 polling day.

A total of 1,749 candidates are in the run for different seats in wards of the towns in the local government election. As many as 717,217 registered voters will use their right to vote in the election.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), 246 candidates are vying for tehsil chairman and vice chairman seats, 264 for district council member, while 993 candidates are contesting general seats of village and neighbourhood councils in 64 union councils.

Electioneering in Mithi, Nagarparkar, Chhachhro, Dahli, Diplo, Kaloi and Islamkot taluka has gained momentum where a total of 1,734 polling booths has been set up in 696 polling stations; of which 148 polling stations are for men, 146 for women, whereas 401 stations are non-segregated. The polling will continue from 8am to 5pm, according to ECP.

Candidates affiliated with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT) and independents are getting ready for the grand contest.

Tough contests are expected in Diplo, Kaloi, Nagarparkar and Chhachhro town where former PPP stalwarts, who developed differences with the leadership over distribution of party tickets, are contesting as independent candidates after being denied tickets.

Prominent among such candidates are Mohammad Khan Loond in his hometown...