331 candidates in fray for assembly polls

Altogether 331 candidates, including six former chief ministers, are in fray for the single phase March three Assembly elections in Meghalaya.

A total of 349 candidates had filed nomination papers. After scrutiny, five were rejected, while nine withdrew yesterday, the last day of withdrawal, sources in state Election Commission said on Tuesday.

The Election Commission has countermanded the polling in Baghmara constituency after sitting Congress MLA S Sangma, who had also filed his nominations, died of cancer. Three other candidates had also filed nomination for the seat.

A total of 12,32,907 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 60 constituencies to decide the fate of 331 candidates, and interestingly there are 20000 more women voters than men as per the final voters list.

Six former Chief Ministers - D D Lapang, Purno A Sangma, Salseng C Marak, E K Mawlong, F A Khonglam and J D Rymbai are seeking mandate.

"Adequate security arrangements have been made with 40 companies of additional paramilitary forces deployed. A total of 39 election observers are overseeing the conduct of the polls," Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said late on Monday night.

There had been eleven complaints of violation of the model code of conduct so far, of which eight cases had no basis. Four complaints were withdrawn and investigation was on with the rest, Naik said.