SHILLONG, Jan 30 � Twelve candidates filed their nominations for the Meghalaya Assembly polls today.
Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh from the Congress party was the first to file her papers for Shillong East constituency here at the Returning Officer�s office.
Apart from Lyngdoh, Social Welfare Minster John Antonios Lyngdoh from the United Democratic Party filed his nominations for the Mawphlang constituency. Moreover, former Minister PM Syiem and his daughter and Member of the District Council, Teilinia Thangkhiew (both independent) filed their nominations separately for the Mawphlang and Mylliem seats here respectively.
In all, seven candidates filed their nominations from East Khasi Hills district, three from West Garo Hills district and one each from Ri-Bhoi district and South West Khasi Hills district.
Earlier, Ampareen Lyngdoh, who has been under the scanner for her alleged role in a teachers� recruitment scam, said after filing her nomination that it has been her �family�s tradition� to be the first to file the nominations.
She said, �Everyone in our family has this tradition to be one of the first to file their nomination,� Lyngdoh, who�s father Peter Marbaniang was an MP and her brother RG Lyngdoh, a former Home Minister.
She was optimistic despite the scam and said that she has done her work at the grassroots and was hopeful that people would take the right decision when they cast their vote on February 23.
Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer, Prashant Naik said: �Twelve candidates have filed their nominations in four, out of the eleven districts, and four blocks in the State.� Naik further informed that 13 Poll Expenditure Observers have arrived here and 20 odd General Observers would be here after scrutiny and withdrawal process are over.
�The Expenditure Observers would be holding meetings with political parties on various issues here tomorrow,� he added.
Meanwhile, ten companies of paramilitary forces, out of the requested 76 companies, have also arrived today. The other contingents would be arriving in phases and would fan out through out the State for election duty, Naik added.