SHILLONG/TURA: Nomination papers of all the eight candidates contesting the by-elections to South Tura and Ranikor constituencies were found to be in order during scrutiny on Tuesday.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said the papers of all the eight candidates were found valid.
In Ranikor, the papers of candidates, MM Danggo (NPP), Pius Marwein (UDP), PN Syiem (PDF) and Jackiush Sangma (Congress) were scrutinized in the presence of candidates.
Chief minister Conrad K Sangma is pitted against three other candidates in the contest for the prestigious South Tura seat.
Scrutiny of the papers of the chief minister, former legislator John Leslee K Sangma, Congress candidate Charlotte W Momin and Kris Kabul A Sangma were taken up in the morning in the office of the Returning Officer, Sabrella B Marak, while supporters of the four candidates waited outside.
It took less than half an hour for the scrutiny work to be completed.
All three candidates, barring the chief minister, were present during scrutiny of the papers. North Tura MLA Thomas A Sangma along with senior party functionaries of the NPP represented the chief minister during scrutiny.
Thursday is the last date for withdrawal from the polls though political pundits are skeptic of any candidate doing so.
With the scrutiny process over, the candidates are expected to go all out in the campaign trail.
