Three candidates in the fray for Konthoujam by election
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 13, 2011:
Three candidates have begun their election campaign in Konthoujam Assembly Constituency for the by election which is to be held on February 14.The seat of the constituency remained vacant since the death of Speaker Sapam Budhichandra on September 30, 2010. Since the Election Commission of India declared the date of election as February 14, all the three candidates in the fray have begun election campaigns.
Dr S Ranjan son of the Late Speaker, is among the candidates who will be contesting the by election.
The other two are Konthoujam Sarat and Kh Ranjit.
Konthoujam Sarat had secured second position in the last election held in 2007. Budhichandra won the vote by a margin of only 74 votes.
On the other hand, Kh Ranjit from Khumbong was a lecturer in DM College of Science.
MPCC president Gaikhangam had assured to give the Congress ticket to Budhichandra's son Ranjan.
Sarat who contested the last election as a NNP candidate is likely to contest on a Trinamool Congress ticket this time.
Which party will Kh Ranjan associate with is still not confirmed.
It is also not sure whether the CPI will field a candidate to contest the election.
A day after the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for conduct of by-election to 18-Konthoujam Assembly Constituency, Imphal West district, Manipur Chief Electoral Officer Thursday enforced the model code of conduct with immediate effect.
Notification for the election will be issued on January 21.The last date of filing nominations is on January 28 while scrutiny of the nominations filed will be held on the next day, January 29.The last date of withdrawal of candidature is on January 31. The counting of votes is scheduled on February 17 and all processes will be completed by February 21, the notification of the Manipur Chief Electoral Officer said.
The model code of conduct will be applicable to all candidates, political parties and the state government.
It will also be applicable to all Union government offices concerned with the state government.
A revised electoral roll with January 1, 2011 as the base and qualifying date will be used.
The Commission has decided to use EVMs in this by-election in all polling stations.
Voter's identification will be mandatory in this by-election at the time of poll.
Electoral Identity Cards (EPICs) will be the main document of identity of a voter.
However, in order to ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures in the election rolls, separate instructions will be issued to allow additional documents for identification of voters at the time of polling.