AGARTALA, June 27 (TIWN): A total of 230 nomination papers were withdrawn by candidates contesting the coming three tier panchayat poll fray across the state, State Election Commission secretary Tamal Majumder said. Reports of eighteen blocks arrived till Thursday night. The final figures indicate that 214 nomination papers were withdrawn, he said.

The final estimates say that 961 seats would go uncontested in gram panchayats, panchayat samities and Zilla Parishads, he informed. The official stated that 214 nomination papers were withdrawn for gram panchayats. 922 seats are slated to go uncontested in the segment after withdrawal. Fourteen nomination papers were withdrawn in the Panchayat Samity segment leading 37 seats to go uncontested. Two nomination papers were withdrawn in the Zilla Parishad segment; both went uncontested. A total of 6,111 seats of 591 gram panchayats, 419 seats across 35 Panchayat Samity and 116 seats from eight Zilla Parishads are scheduled to go to polls next month.

Polling is slated to start from 7 Am till 4 PM on the date of poll. Counting of cast votes would be held from 8 AM on July 18. The entire Panchayat election process would be completed by July 27. Tenure of the incumbent elected public representative bodies in three tier panchayats of the state is slated to end on August 06.