Kumar Rajiv Nayan
Ara : Elaborate arrangements have been made to hold free, fair and peaceful election to Ara Municipal Corporation (AMC) and five Nagar Panchayats in Bhojpur district scheduled for May 21, 2017. The counting of the votes will be held on May 23, 2017.
Bhojpur District Magistrate Birednra Prasad Yadav said that election will be held through the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The DM said that 310 persons had filled nomination papers from the 45 Wards of the AMC but after withdrawal of names by 3 persons, 307 persons are now in the fray and added that altogether 2,16,509 voters including 97,971 female voters will exercise their franchise at 220 polling booths.
The Koelwar Nagar Panchayat has 14 Wards and 91 persons had filed their nomination papers for all the 14 Wards but after rejection of nomination papers of 3 persons, only 88 persons remain in the fray. The DM said that 11,883 voters including 5,307 female voters will exercise their franchise this time at 15 polling booths.
In Piro Nagar Panchayat, 68 persons had filed nomination papers for the 17 Wards and all the 68 persons are in the fray. Altogether 24,705 voters including 10,901 female voters will exercise their franchise at 28 polling booths to elect their Ward Councillors.
In Bihia Nagar Panchayat, 68 persons filed nomination papers for the 14 Wards and all of them are in the fray. Altogether 19,165 voters including 8,568 female voters will exercise their franchise at 22 polling booths to elect the Ward Councillors of their respective wards.
In Shahpur Nagar Panchayat, 63 persons had filed nomination papers for the 11 Wards and all of them are in the fray as no one withdrew their names nor a single nomination paper was rejected. At least 13,513 voters including 6,058 female voters will use their franchise to elect their Ward Councillors at 13 polling booths.
In Jagdishpur Nagar Panchayat, at least 22,481 voters including 10,412 female voters will exercise their franchise to elect the Ward Councillors for 18 Wards. Altogether 131 persons had filed their nomination papers for the 18 Wards but 4 persons withdrew their names and nomination papers of 9 persons were rejected. Now 118 persons remain in the fray. The district administration has made 29 polling booths where the voters will cast their votes on May 21, 2017.
Nine third genders will exercise their franchise in the AMC elections, two in Piro, and one each in Bihia, Koelwar and Shahpur Nagar Panchayats elections.