A total of 933 applications have been submitted so far to contest the upcoming local council elections, according to the Elections Commission.

Speaking to State media, the Elections Commission said that 1,633 applications have been submitted within the first week to contest the local council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections. Of these, 933 applications were submitted for local councils, while 700 applications were submitted for WDCs.

The Commission said political parties have submitted 750 applications to contest council seats. Of these, 617 applications have been declared eligible. A total of 113 applications were initially deemed ineligible, with 41 of those resubmitted following corrections.

In addition, 203 applications have been submitted by independent candidates for council seats. Of these, 133 were declared eligible and 70 ineligible. The Commission noted that 36 independent candidates whose applications were deemed ineligible have since resubmitted their forms.

For Women’s Development Committees, political parties have submitted 565 applications, with 488 candidates declared eligible. Of the 77 applications initially deemed ineligible, 15 have been resubmitted. Meanwhile, 135 independent candidates applied to contest Women’s Development Committee positions, of whom 86 were declared eligible.

The Elections Commission opened applications for the local council and Women’s Development Committee elections on 17 January.