Scrutiny of nominations conducted in Manipur

Imphal, Feb 17: The scrutiny of nomination papers filed reportedly by 103 candidates from 22 assembly seats from hill areas in the second-phase polls was conducted on Friday.
The first phase assembly poll in Manipur will be held across 38 assembly seats including 29 seats in valley areas and 9 in hill areas. Similarly in the second phase polls will be held across 22 assembly seats including 11 seats each in hill and valley areas, on March 8.
Though the final result of the entire scrutiny process of 22 seats in the hill areas, is yet to be made available till the report goes to the press, an official reports from Senapati district which consists of three assembly seats–Karong, Mao and Tadubi, claimed that almost all the 16 candidates (including a lady candidate in Karong) in the district cleared their scrutiny process.Similarly, 13 candidates out of 14 in Ukhrul having three seats-Chingai, Phungyar and Ukhrul were also approved while one Lok Janshakti party candidate W Angkang was rejected, another source claimed.
Nomination papers of 12 nominated candidates of Chandel and Tengnoupal seats in Chandel district were also approved during the day’s scrutiny. February 20 is the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers.
A total of 170 candidates including 38 BJP, 37 Congress candidates may contest across 38 assembly seats if no candidate withdraws their candidature on or before February 18 in the first phase of the 11th Manipur assembly elections on March 4.
In the scrutiny of the candidates for the first phase polls held on Thursday, only one candidate Dr L Thangtawn of Trinamool congress out of 171 was rejected because of certain errors detected in the documents he submitted, according to reports.
Among the Assembly segments which would be going to polls in the first phase, Saikul seat in the newly created Kangpokpi district has maximum number of 11 candidates while Keirao in Imphal East district has the second largest number of candidates which is 10.With only two candidates each, Sekmai, Mayang Imphal in Imphal West district and Nambol in Bishnupur district would see straight fights between ruling Congress and opposition BJP candidates. February 18 is the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers.