188 candidates in Nagaland, 345 in Meghalaya left in fray
Source: The Sangai Express / PTI / agencies

Kohima/Shillong, February 10 2013 : Altogether 188 candidates were left in the fray for the February 23 Nagaland assembly election after the time for withdrawal of names ended today while 345 candidates would fight in the Meghalaya Assembly polls.

Nagaland's Chief Electoral Officer J Alam said out of the 189 nomination papers found valid after scrutiny, one Independent candidate withdrew from contest and the final list of candidates stood at 188 for the 60-member Assembly.

There are only two women candidates in the fray and the total number of voters is 11,93,438, the CEO said.

Prominent candidates included Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (Northern Angami), Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie (Western Angami), Opposition Leader Tokheho Yepthomi (Dimapur III), Congress president SI Jamir (Dimapur II) and Home Minister Imkong L Imchen (Koridang).

Out of the 2023 polling stations in the state, 821 have been identified as sensitive and 662 as hyper sensitive, Alam said.

Twenty constituencies would be witnessing straight fight while 18 would have triangular contest.

Eighteen others have four candidates while two constituencies have five and six candidates in the fray.

The CEO said the number of additional forces (Central Armed Police Force) to be deployed for peaceful conduct of the polls has gone up to 230 from 180 .

Out of the 230 additional companies, 39 have already been deployed while the remaining 191 would be arriving only after the February 14 Tripura elections.

Besides, the state would also deploy about 13,000 security force, which include State Police, Village Guards and Home Guards personnel.

Meanwhile, a total of 345 contestants, including 122 Independents, are in fray for the February 23 assembly elections in Meghalaya.

The last day for withdrawing nomination was on Saturday.

A total of 25 aspiring candidates are women with the Congress fielding six, the United Democratic Party (UDP) five and one each by the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP), Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Rashtriya Secular Congress and BJP.

While the NCP has fielded two candidates, eight are contesting as Independents.

While the ruling Congress has put up 60 candidates for all 60 assembly seats, its biggest coalition partner-turned-rival, UDP, has fielded 50 nominees.

The PA Sangma-led National People's Party (NPP) is contesting 32 seats followed by the NCP with 21 candidates.

The HSPDP will fight for 17 seats followed by BJP (13), Samajwadi Party (11), Garo National Council (6), KHNAM and Lok Janshakti Party four each, Meghalaya Democratic Party (2) and the CPI, North East Social Democratic Party and Rashtriya Secular Congress one each.

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