Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
Altogether 379 candidates have filed their nominations for the February 27 state Assembly polls.
On February 7, the last day, altogether 139 candidates filed their nominations across the state.
Of the 379, 342 are males and 37 are females.
The highest number of female candidates are from East Khasi Hills district with 14 while four districts-West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, North Garo Hills and South Garo Hills – had none.
As for males, East Khasi Hills district has 102 while the lowest is in Eastern West Khasi Hills with 7.
Among those who filed their papers on Tuesday were Mukul Sangma as Trinamool candidate from Tikrikilla constituency. Sangma, who is a former chief minister, will be contesting from two constituencies; on Monday he had filed from Songsak, his current seat.
Another sitting legislator who filed his nomination on Tuesday was Himalaya M Shangpliang from Mawsynram who will be contesting on a BJP ticket.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from South Tura, Bernard Marak, filed his nomination for the South Tura seat where he will be locking horns with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
From the Congress, former legislators J A Lyngdoh from North Shillong, Ronnie V Lyngdoh from Mylliem, Pynshngain N Syiem from Pynthorumkhrah and two women candidates Venetia Pearl Mawlong from South Shillong and Bethleen Dkhar from West Shillong also filed their nominations.
Former Director of Health Services Dr. Aman War also filed his nomination for the North Shillong seat on a United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket; apart from him ex-legislator Paul Lyngdoh filed his papers from the West Shillong seat.
Mawryngkneng legislator Pyniaid Sing Syiem and Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla also filed their papers on the final day. They will be contesting as National People’s Party (NPP) candidates.
The scrutiny of nomination papers will be on Wednesday and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is February 10, the date of polling is February 27 and the results will be declared on March 2.