ITANAGAR, March 26 - After scrutiny of nominations today, altogether 198 candidates were found eligible to contest the Assembly polls in Arunachal Pradesh, slated on April 11.
�Today was the day for scrutiny of nominations. After scrutiny of the papers, 198 candidates are in fray for the Assembly elections. There has been rejection of 13 candidates throughout the State,� Additional Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Kanki Darang told reporters at the Nirvachan Bhavan here this evening.
Post scrutiny, the party-wise break-up of candidates in fray is: BJP-60, Congress-49, National People�s Party-30, Janata Dal (United)-16, Janata Dal (Secular)-11 and People�s Party of Arunachal (PPA)-8. Fourteen women candidates are also in the fray for the Assembly polls, Darang added.
Meanwhile, with regard to the two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh, the nomination papers of all 12 candidates were found valid, the Additional CEO informed.
�In Arunachal West constituency, all the seven candidates were found eligible. They include Kiren Rijiju of the BJP, Nabam Tuki (Congress), Khyoda Apik (NPP), Subu Kechi (PPA), Jomin Nyokir Kara (All India Forward Bloc), Jarjum Ete of JD(S) and Rumak Jomoh (Independent).
In the Arunachal East Parliamentary Constituency, five candidates are in fray who include Tapir Gao (BJP), James Lowangcha Wanglat (Congress), Bandey Mili of JD(S), Mongol Yomso (PPA) and CC Singpho (Independent).
The Additional CEO, meanwhile, said that Kento Jini of the BJP has �returned unopposed� from the Aalo East seat as the nomination paper of the other nominee, Minkir Lollen of the Congress, was rejected.
Regarding reports of �unopposed return� of the BJP�s Taba Tedir from the Yachuli constituency that went viral on the social media, Darang, while quoting the DEO-cum-Returning Officer of Lower Subansiri district, said that there has been adjournment of hearing of objections, which will be completed by 11 am tomorrow. Tedir has been pitted against Toko Yaram of the JD(U).
�So no candidate has returned unopposed from the Yachuli seat,� the Additional CEO clarified.
Explaining the term �unopposed return�, Darang that �if in any constituency, there is only one contesting candidate, that candidate should be declared to have been duly elected immediately after the last hour for withdrawal of candidature. In that event, a poll is not necessary.�
The Additional CEO also said that as many as 10 Assembly constituencies are set to witness straight fights in the Assembly elections. They are Mukto (Pema Khandu of the BJP and Thupten Kunphen of the Congress), Lumla (BJP�s Jambey Tashi versus Jampa Thrinly Kunkhap of the NPP), Thrizino (Kumsi Sidisow of the BJP versus Kalu Dususow of the Congress), Bameng (Goruk Pordung of the BJP versus Kumar Waii of the NPP), Seppa East (Ealing Tallang of the BJP versus Tapuk Taku of the NPP), Pakke-Kessang (Biyuram Wahge of the BJP versus Atum Welly of the Congress), Pangin (Ojing Tasing of the BJP versus Tapang Taloh of the Congress), Hayuliang (Dasanglu Pul of the BJP versus Lapulam Kri of the Congress) and Chowkham (Chowna Mein of the BJP versus Khunang Kri of the Congress).
The Additional CEO also informed that the unaccounted cash so far seized across the State by static surveillance teams, flying squads and the police since the model code of conduct came into force, has risen to Rs 2,34,53,550.
