KARACHI, July 23: The scrutiny of nomination papers filed for the first phase of local bodies election in Sindh started on Saturday. The process will continue on Sunday. Special arrangements have been made by the election commission to keep offices of all returning officers in the 11 districts of Sindh, where polling has been scheduled for August 18, opened on Sunday.

EC sources said that although a precise figure of eligible candidates could not emerge before completion of the scrutiny process, the number of rejected papers might not run into four figures keeping in view the interest shown by the candidates, political parties, NGOs and other social organizations.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the LB election commenced on Saturday with the issuance of nomination papers. In this phase, election will be held in 12 districts of Sindh on August 25. The districts are: Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Dadu, Matiari, Jamshoro, Badin, Sukkur, Khairpur, Nawabshah, Larkana, Shahdadkot and Shikarpur.

Last date for filing the nomination papers is July 27. The returning officers will also receive nomination papers while issuing new forms during the days.

Nomination papers may be submitted by a candidate himself or by the persons proposing or seconding the candidate along with form-19 and a bank draft of the prescribed fee. For UC membership, the fee is Rs1,000 and for the slot of nazim/naib nazim its Rs5,000.

Minimum qualification for a candidate of nazim/naib nazim is matriculation.

Under the rules, an eligible voter may act as a proposer or seconder for candidates of different categories. The nomination papers of different categories cannot be rejected on this ground. However, a proposer or seconder cannot subscribe more than one nomination paper in the same category.

The ROs would acknowledge receipt of the nomination papers specifying the date and time of its receipt and the name of the person presenting the same.

The sources said that the election for the posts of nazim and naib nazim of UCs is being held through direct election along with the election of UC members as joint candidates.

At the national level, election for union councils in 56 districts of all four provinces is being held in the second phase.

In the third phase, which will begin on Sept 3, election for nazims of district/city district and tehsil/taluka, as well as nazims of town, tehsil/ taluka, and members of zila council, tehsil/taluka town councils on the seats reserved for women, peasants/workers and minority would be held.

The nominations would be received from Sept 5 to 7 while candidates could withdraw their candidature by Sept 15. The process will complete with the publication of a final list of candidates and polling will be held on Sept 29.