By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: As many 355 candidates have filed nomination papers for the February 23 Meghalaya Assembly elections.
On Wednesday, which was the last day of filing nominations, as many as 57 candidates including Ismail Marak and PK Sangma (both from Congress) and Augustine Marak of Samajwadi Party submitted their papers.
While the scrutiny of papers will be held on Thursday, the date of withdrawal of nominations is February 9.
In Shillong, four candidates including KHNAM president Pyndapborthiaw Saibon (Mawlai) filed their papers on the last day.
Others who filed their nomination included Mawsynram HSPDP candidate and former journalist, Starfing Pdahsiej, South Shillong SP candidate, Vinod Kumar Joshi and Nongkrem independent candidate, Elston Roy Kharkongor.
A total of 7 candidates filed their nomination papers from different constituencies under West Khasi hills district which included MDP candidate Bokstar Nongrang and HSPDP candidate, Nit Shabong from Mairang, NPP candidate, Set Singh Dkhar.
In 2008, a total of 349 candidates had filed nominations. Out of which, 331 ultimately remained in the fray.
The filing of nomination papers started on January 30 with the issuance of the election notification.
Prominet among them are Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, his wife Dikkanchi Sangma, former Chief Ministers, DD Lapang, SC Marak , Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh , MPCC working president Deborah Marak, all from the Congress, HSPDP supremo HS Lyngdoh, UDP leader and former Chief Minsiter Donkupar Roy, Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong, the Opposition leader Conrad Sangma and his brother James Sangma.
Only Congress has fielded candidates in all the 60 constituencies. Among the other politial parties UDP has fielded 52, National People’s Party –27, NCP– 21, HSPDP –18, BJP -13, Samajawdi Party –10. KHNAM and Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJP) have put up four each, 2 each by Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) and Garo National Council (GNC) and one by Communist Party of India (CPI).
A total of 140 independent candidates (131 male and 9 female) have filed their nominations and majority are the dropouts from Congress.
The Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said that he was optimistic that the elections would be free and fair despite minor disturbances in certain pockets of Garo Hills.
Naik, however, said that the election department was keeping a close watch on those pockets of Garo Hills.
He also said that there were no serious cases of violation of model code of conduct so far.
On the allegation from certain quarters that there was partial treatment to some candidates by giving their supporters free access till the office of the Deputy Commissioner during the filing of nominations while supporters of other candidates have been asked to stay in distant locations, Naik said that it was up to the district electoral officer to look into the matter.
Our Tura Correspondent adds: As many as 29 candidates in five districts of Garo Hills filed their nomination papers on the last day of nomination on Wednesday.
Prominent among them were sitting MLAs, Abdus Saleh, Augustine Marak and Limison Sangma and the chief executive member of the GHADC Purno K Sangma.
Congress MLA Augustine D Marak who was denied a party ticket filed his nomination on a Samajwadi Party ticket from Raksamgre constituency under Dadenggre civil-sub-division while Congress candidate and MLA Limison D Sangma also filed his papers to contest from the same constituency.
The Mahendraganj MLA Abdus Saleh filed his papers from Rajabala as an Independent.
The CEM of GHADC Purno K Sangma filed his nomination from Dadenggre assembly seat while Congress candidate Rahinath Barchung filed his nomination for Tikrikilla along with Benedict Marak of the Samajwadi Party.
Former MLA and minister K C Boro who filed his nomination on Tuesday also submitted a second set of nomination papers during the day for the Tikrikilla seat.
Other candidates who filed their nominations in West Garo Hills district included Independent candidate and former MDC John Leslee K Sangma for South Tura, Mody Sangma (Ind) for Rangsakona, Abdus Saffur Mondal for both Rajabala and Phulbari, Cyrus Tangseng D Shira (Ind) in South Tura, Sengrak D Marak (Ind) North Tura, Binoy Ghosh (Ind) for Phulbari, Ashahel D Shira (Ind) Rajabala, Clement R Marak (Congress) for Selsella, Lelynggrate K Sangma (Ind) for south Tura, Zenith M Sangma (Congres) for Rangsakona, Mrs Malisowai Hajong for Rangsakona on a Rashtriya Secular Congress ticket and Tim Chisim (Ind) for Rajabala.
In South West Garo Hills district (Ampati) Grewith D Sangma (UDP) and Kenedy Marak (Ind) filed their nomination for Salmanapra seat and Ismail A Sangma (Ind) for Mahendraganj. In North Garo Hills district only Rocky Marak (UDP) filed a second set of nomination papers for Bajengdoba. In East Garo Hills Luderberg G Momin (UDP) filed his nomination papers.
In South Garo Hills district Ropul S Marak (Ind) filed his papers for Siju-Rongara seat, Clifford R Marak (GNC) for Chokpot and Arjun W Momin (Ind) and Lintone N Marak (GNC) for Baghmara seat.