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With the wrapping up of official filing of nominations papers for the first and second phases of 17th Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday afternoon, a total 19 candidates – eight in outer Manipur parliamentary constituency and 11 in inner Manipur parliamentary constituency have filed their nomination papers in Manipur.

Altogether five candidates belonging to two political parties and Independents filed their nomination papers on the last date of the filing nomination for inner Manipur parliamentary constituency on Tuesday.

The five candidates are R K Anand of North East India Development Party (NEIDP), O Jugindro of Manipur People’s Party, M Tomtomsana, W Pobitro Singh, Md Iliyash Khan, all Independents.

Thus the total number of candidates who filed their nomination papers for inner Manipur parliamentary constituency as per official release which was made available here at around 8.40 pm is 11.

On Monday, six candidates including Dr R K Ranjan of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), O Nabakishore of Indian National Congress (INC), Dr M Nara of Comunist Party of India (CPI), actor R K Somorendro alias Kaiku (Independent), G Tonsana of Manipur Democratic People’s Front and S Nandeshore of Rashtriya Janhit Sangarsh Party filed their nominations papers.

Scrutiny of nomination for inner Manipur parliamentary constituency will be held on Wednesday while the last date for withdrawal of candidature for outer and inner Manipur constituencies are scheduled for March 28 and 29 respectively.

Meanwhile the nomination papers of all eight candidates for the first phase (outer Manipur parliamentary constituency) of Lok Sabha elections in Manipur, are found to be valid during their scrutiny at Thoubal district headquarters, 25 km south of Imphal on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The first phase poll in Manipur is scheduled to be held in outer Manipur parliamentary constituency covering 28 Assembly constituencies on April 11.

The eight candidates who filed their nomination papers on Monday are H Shokhopao alias Benjamin Mate (BJP), K James (INC),Thangminlien Kipgen of National People’s Party, Ashang Kashar of NEIDP, Dr Lorho S Pfoze of Naga People’s Front, Hangkhanpau of Janata Dal(U), Angam K Kom of Nationalist Congress Party and Laikham Kaipu (Independent).

The second phase polling for inner constituency will be held on April 18. The counting of votes is fixed on May 23.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: [email protected]