Imphal, May 07 2010: Ahead of the first phase of Autonomous District Council elections scheduled to be held in Churachandpur, Chandel and Sadar Hills, 29 candidates have been elected unopposed. Interestingly, all the elected candidates belong to the Indian National Congress.

According to information received from the State Election Commission, 281 candidates are contesting in 72 seats of the three District Councils which would go to polls on May 26 .

Out of the 281 candidates in fray, 19 have been confirmed elected unopposed.

The elected candidates from Chandel Autonomous District Council include INC candidate Paokhosei Haokip (from 18 Songjang ADC constituency), INC candidate Khuplen Haokip (23 Sajik Tampak), INC's Seithan Haokip (24 Tolbung), Ch Ngangthang (14 Seivon), Goldiman (15 Moreh C New), Lutkhosei (16 Moreh B New) and T Thangkhongmani (from 17 Moreh A ADC constituency).

In Sadar Hills ADC, Zingkothang (17 Makokchung), Thangjakan (18 Saikul) and Lunkhohen (Mapao) have been elected unopposed.

The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers for the first phase of polling was May 6 .

Even as notification for the second phase of polling covering Ukhrul, tamenglong and Senapati has been already issued, no candidates have filed nomination papers except one independent candidate N Zongeo in 21 Oinam constituency.

Meanwhile, the MPCC while congratulating its elected District Council members, has exuded that District Councils will be revived in hill districts after a gap of more than 20 years in accordance to the aspirations of hill people.

A spokesperson of the Congress party said that 11 INC canditates have been elected unopposed in Chandel, 10 in Sadar Hills and eight including a woman in Churachandpur.