Bhatkal: With Wednesday being the last day for filing nominations, a total of 45 candidates had filed 55 nomination papers for 20 wards of Bhatkal Jali Town Panchayat.

55 nomination papers filed included nine nomination papers by the Congress, seven by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 39 by independent candidates which are mostly backed by Tanzeem Bhatkal.

The last date for filing nomination papers was December 15, while scrutiny of nomination papers will be taken up on December 16. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is December 18. The elections will be held on December 27.  
 Bhatkal Jali Town Panchayat 20 wards with 15,335 eligible voters.