By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The total number of women candidates contesting the February 23 election in the State has increased as compared to the last Assembly election in 2008.
This time, 24 women candidates are in the fray as against 21 women candidates in 2008.
The Congress has allotted tickets to six women candidates while the UDP has given tickets to five female candidates.
The NCP has nominated two women candidates while the BJP, HSPDP, KHNAM and new entrant Rashtriya Secular Congress are fielding one female candidate each. Eight women are contesting as Independents.
It may be noted that in the 2008 election, only one woman candidate — Ampareen Lyngdoh — had emerged victorious out of the 21 candidates who contested the polls.