PANAJI
After the last date of withdrawal of nominations on Saturday, total of 402 candidates are in the fray for the civic polls in five municipal councils slated for April 23.
The state Election commission declared there were total 49 withdrawals on Saturday adding that a total of 451 nominations had been filed.
Significantly in Sanguem municipality there were no withdrawals. As per State Election Commission (SEC), 14 candidates withdrew from Mapusa taking the tally after withdrawal to 95.
In Mormugao, 136 candidates are in the fray and 11 candidates withdrew. Further in Margao 115 candidates are in fray as 17 withdrew.
Similarly in Quepem, 62 candidates will be fighting it out after 7 candidates withdrew their candidature.
In Margao, around 17 candidates withdrew their candidature from the fray, including the 11 candidates who have withdrawn in favour of the Margao Civic Alliance.
In Mapusa, in an attempt to retain political legacy several former chairpersons and ex-councilors have fielded their sons, daughters, sisters, wives and husbands in the civic election for the Mapusa Municipal Council election.
Four former chairpersons and three ex-vice-chairpersons are among the 81 candidates who will be contesting the civic election from various wards in Mapusa after 14 candidates withdrew their nominations on Saturday.
In Vasco, a total of 11 candidates withdrew their nominations on Saturday leaving 125 aspirants in the fray to contest the upcoming civic polls from 25 different wards of the Mormugao Municipal Council.
