Akola, Maharashtra, Oct 8 (UNI) A candidate, contesting the gram panchayat elections here, committed suicide by setting himself afire yesterday, police today said.

Police said Ganesh Vishwas Rathod (42) set himself afire after exercising his franchise at Deulgaon village. The candidate committed suicide as he was apprehensive he would not win, according to sources.

Rathod was also frustrated since he was being teased by others about his prospects, the sources said.

The candidate exercised his franchise and returned home.

Thereafter, he asked his wife to go and cast her vote. As soon as she had left, Rathod set himself afire. He suffered 100 per cent burn injuries and died.

Meanwhile, the elections were marred by some violence and the polling had to be stopped for a while in Changeful village in Akola taluka of the district after two groups clashed over the issue of bogus voting. At least five persons were injured in the clash.

Police have registered offences against 47 people for rioting.

Clashes were also reported from Pohradevi village in Manora taluka of adjoining Washim district. At least six persons were injured in this incident. The clash broke out after one person abused sarpanch Meeratai Ratanwar. In this incident, police have registered offences against 45 people.

UNI