Campaigning ends in Meghalaya(Lead: Meghalaya)

Shillong, Mar.1 : Campaigning for the single-phase Assembly elections in Meghalaya to be held on March 3 ended on Saturday.

Altogether 331 candidates, including six former chief ministers, are in fray for the elections to the eighth Meghalaya assembly. The electorate numbers 12,32,907.

The Election Commission has postponed the polling in Baghmara constituency after sitting Congress candidate S Sangma died of cancer.

The election in the constituency has been re-scheduled for March 22.

The Congress is contesting on all 60 seats in the state, while the United Democratic Party (UDP) came a close second with 52 candidates and Nationalist Congress Party with 50.

Meanwhile, state's Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said polling officials have set out for their polling stations with election materials and security arrangements in place.

Forty companies of paramilitary forces, including BSF, have arrived in the state to assist the state police to ensure free and fair polling.

ANI