Imphal, January 23: Altogether 450 persons of different political parties filed their nomination for contesting elections in the 40 valley Assembly constituencies which go to the polls in the first phase of the 8th State Assembly on February 14 till today, the last date for filing of nominations.

Sources said another 45 candidates filed nomination papers for contesting in the six hill constituencies of Churachandpur district.

However, the exact figure of the candidates filing their nominations for hill ACs could not be received.

The scrutiny of the nominations will be done tomorrow while the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is January 28.The source further said that election symbols of parties will be announced after 3 pm of January 28, after the completion of the withdrawal process.

In continued pre-poll violence, unidentified gunmen fired around five rounds at the entrance of former Minister and MPP candidate in Wangkhem AC Dr Nimaichand Luwang at Yairipok at around 5.45 yesterday evening.

However, no one was injured in the firing.

Police rushed to the spot and conducted search operations.

There is no report of any arrest or recovery of empty cases.

Meanwhile, Government has banned leave seeking by employees.

The Commissioner DP has issued an order to this effect late last night, said an official source today.

The notification however said that the employees could take leave on medical grounds and the application should he approved by the District level medical boards.

Meanwhile, the two round election rehearsal for polling personnel of Bishnupur district will be held on February 6 and 11 at 11 am at Bishnupur Mini Complex .