577 sets of nomination papers filed for HDMC polls

After delimitation, the number of wards has gone up to 82 from 67 in Hubballi-Dharwad

With a huge rush on the last day for filing nomination papers for Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) polls, the process was extended beyond the scheduled time and it continued till late night on Monday. And, in all, 577 sets of nomination papers have been filed for elections to 82 wards. In view of the huge rush, candidates who had come before the deadline of 3 p.m. were issued tokens and according to the election authorities, when the last set of nomination papers was received, it was 11 p.m. As per the rule, nomination papers of all candidates who reach the office before 3 p.m. have to be received. And, accordingly, the candidates were issued tokens and it took hours for the officials to verify the set of documents and issue certified copies to the candidates. On Monday, the last day for filing nomination papers, a total of 478 sets of nomination papers were filed, and it was a marathon exercise, Municipal Commissioner Suresh Itnal said.