Gangtok: After the scrutiny of nomination and withdrawal of candidature, the State Election Commission has issued a final list of candidates and as per it, 67% panchayat are uncontested.In the West District, out of the total 283 GPU wards, 245 were uncontested and and the election for 38 GPU wards will be held. In the South District, out of 257 GPU wards, 151 declared uncontested and leaving 106 on the fray. Whereas in the East District, the total number of GPU wards are 243 out of which 121 were uncontested and election will be held for 122 GPU wards. And in the North District, out of 106 GPU wards, 68 are uncontested and 38 GPU will contest for elections.Similarly, in the Zilla Panchayat, out of the 25 ZPs in West district, 17 were uncontested and elections will be held for 8 ZPs. In the South District, out of 23 Zilla Panchayat, 10 were uncontested and elections will be held for 13 ZPs. While in the East District, out of 27 ZPs, 9 remained uncontested and 17 ZPs will contest the election and 1 Zilla Panchayat, remains vacant. And in the north district out of the total 18 ZPs, 9 remains uncontested while elections will be held for 9 ZPs.Accordingly, a meeting to review the arrangements for Panchayat Election, 2007 was held on October 8 in the Conference Hall of Rural Management & Development Department, Tashiling Secretariat Gangtok under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim. The meeting was attended by Director General of Police, Principal Secretary, Home Department,Commissioner-cum -Secretary, Rural Management & Development Department, Secretary, State Election Commission, all District Collectors (who are also the Returning Officer for the Panchayat Election), all District Superintendents of Police and other officials of Police, Home & State Election Commission.The meeting reviewed action taken by all concerned and confirmed all actions required to be taken as per Law/State Election Commission guidelines including arrangements for police and other man-power requirements for ensuring a free, fair and smooth poll. The meeting also reviewed the over-all law & order situation, likely trouble spots and other problem areas.The Chief Secretary expressed his satisfaction over the arrangements made and directed that all actions of the authorities connected with Panchayat Election should be transparent and as per law and guidelines issued by the State Election Commission, according to a press release received from the Home Department.
