21 villages elect panchayats unanimously

Kothagudem: Nearly 21 villages in the district elected their panchayats unanimously in the first phase of elections after the withdrawl of nominations came to an end on Monday. Of the 469 panchayats, 174 gram panchayats would be going for polls in the first phase. Elections for the remaining panchayats would be held in second and third phase. 

According to official sources, the panchayats of five villages in Dummugudem mandal, two in Mulkalpally, one in Manuguru, three in Aswapuram, six in Palvoncha and four in Charla were elected unanimously. Meanwhile, 169 ward members were elected unanimously of the total 1,534. 

With the withdrawl of nominations coming to an end, the candidates are now getting busy with campaigning. The elections in the first phase are going to be held on January 21 from 7 am to 1 pm and counting of votes would be done the same day. 

Meanwhile, filing of nominations for the second phase of panchayat elections also has been completed in seven mandals with 142 panchayats going for polls. While the last date for withdrawl of nominations is January 16, the elections would to be held on January 25, informed the officials.