18 candidates file nomination papers in Meghalaya

Shillong, Feb 8 (UNI) The process of filing nomination for March three Meghalaya Assembly election began today with the issuance of notification by Governor S S Sidhu.

The present term of the Meghalaya Assembly ends on March ten.

Altogether 18 candidates from various political parties filed their candidature across the state.

Prominent among those were Health and Family Welfare Minister Deborah C Marak (Cong), seeking re-election from Rongrenggiri, former Assembly Speaker E D Marak (Cong) from Kharkutta and former Agriculture Minister Pynshai Manik Syiem (NCP) from Mylliem.

The last date of filing nomination is February 15 and last date of withdrawal is February 18.

Counting of votes will take place on March seven.

In the 60-member House, 55 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes.

The total number of electorate in Meghalaya is 12,30,152, including 6,25,534 female.

In the voters' list, the Tura constituency of the West Garo Hills district registered the highest number of 39,706 electorate, while the Nongstoin constituency of West Khasi Hills district came a close second with 34,945 and Rymbai in Ri-Bhoi district third with 29,652.

The constituency with the lowest number of voters was Mawkhar constituency with 7,762 electorate.

The Election Department had identified 635 polling stations as "hyper sensitive" and 194 "sensitive" of the total 1582 polling booths.

The Centre had sanctioned 50 companies of additional Central paramilitary forces for smooth conduct of the polls.

Most of these forces would be deployed in areas classified as "hyper sensitive" and "sensitive".

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