GANGTOK, Oct 5: Preparations are complete for tomorrow's first party-based panchayat elections in Sikkim.

Altogether 828 polling stations have been set up and 5,000 polling personnel deployed for the remaining 674 gram panchayat wards and 79 zilla panchayat seats in the four districts of the State.

Earlier, 176 ruling Sikkim Democratic Front nominees were elected uncontested in the gram panchayat wards and 12 in the zilla panchayat seats, while Opposition and independent candidates bagged 20 gram panchayat wards and one zilla panchayat seat uncontested.

According to State Election Commission secretary K N Sharma, 2,24,079 people would vote for the 1,863 candidates in the fray for the polls.

Polling staff deputed in remote places left for their destinations this morning; some would have to walk over 20 km to reach their stations.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.