13 Nominations filed so far for April 17 poll in West Bengal

Kolkata, Mar 26 (UNI) Thirteen nominations have so far been filed for the first phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal, slated for April 17 in the Maoist-dominated West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts.

Announcing this state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Debashis Sen told reporters here today that filing of nomination papers by the candidates for 45 seats in three districts began on March 24 and would continue till March 31.

The scrutiny would be done the next day.

Regarding further details of those who filed their papers so far, Mr Sen said a clear picture would emerge only on the last date of filing.

Meanwhile, quoting latest strictures from the Commission, the CEO said the state government had been asked to file its final Action Taken Report (ATR) on the cleaning of wall graffitis across the state, on the basis of which future action would be taken.

Moreover, he said, all candidates, for the first time in the history of state assembly poll, had been asked to file affidavits declaring their assets and even loan liabilities at the time of filing of nomination papers.

He however, did not disclose whether all the 13 candidates who had filed their nominations so far, submitted the affidavits.

On the recent controversy surrounding the possibility of release of funds from the Chief Minister's relief funds to the needy and whether it came under the election code of conduct, Mr Sen replied in the negative. ''There is no such ban,'' he confirmed.

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