SHILLONG: The number of independent candidates is less this election as compared to the 2013 polls whereas that of women candidates has increased.
There are 85 independent candidates and 33 women so far this time as compared to 122 independents and 25 women in the last election.
Among the 33 women candidates, there are known faces like Deborah Marak, Ampareen Lyngdoh and Dikkanchi D Shira.
However, this is not the final tally as the last date for withdrawing nominations is Monday.
The Congress has fielded 60 candidates followed by NPP with 52. The Bharatiya Janata Party has, for the first time, fielded candidates in 47 seats whereas the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has put up 21 candidates.
In the 2013 Assembly polls, the BJP had fielded candidates in only 13 seats and the Congress had contested all the 60 seats.
The regional United Democratic Party (UDP) is contesting 35 seats and its ally, the Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), has put up 13 candidates.
The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has fielded eight candidates while the newly floated People’s Democratic Front (PDF) put up 26 candidates.
Others like the Aam Aadmi Party, Lok Janshakti Party, All India Trinamool Congress, Republican Party of India (A), Garo National Council and North East India Development Party have also fielded candidates in some constituencies.
UDP had contested 50 seats whereas HSPDP had fielded candidates in 17 seats and KHNAM in four. NPP in the 2013 polls had contested 32 seats.
Rongjeng constituency in East Garo Hills has the maximum number of candidates at 11 whereas three constituencies – Sohiong in East Khasi Hills, Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills and Ampati in South West Garo Hills – have the least number of candidates at three.
