Uttarakhand polls: 632 remain in fray for 70 seats

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that his Ministry has decided to convert the Experimental Scheme for Induction of Women Fighter Pilots in the Indian Air Force into a permanent scheme. In a tweet,  Singh said, It is a testimony to the capability of India’s Nari Shakti (Women Power) and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards women empowerment.

-In Uttar Pradesh, a total of 586 candidates are left in fray for 55 seats across nine districts in the second phase of assembly polls to be held on 14th of February. Sixty two candidates withdrew their submissions at the end of the withdrawal of candidature for this phase yesterday. A total of 793 nominations were filed in the second phase, out of which 145 were rejected during the scrutiny of papers on 29th of January. The process of filing nominations for the third Phase of Assembly polls will end this evening. A total of 499 candidates have filed their nominations so far. Scrutiny will be held tomorrow and the last date of withdrawal of the candidature is 4th of February. The Third Phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will be conducted on 20th of February in 59 Assembly Constituencies from 16 districts. Filing of nominations is underway for fourth Phase of assembly polls. A total of 152 nominations have been filed so far. The last date of filing nominations for this phase is 3rd of this month. Scrutiny will be held on 4th February and the last date of withdrawal of the candidature is 7th of February.

-Election Commission of India, ECI has appointed 15 special observers for the current General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh 2022. ECI held a briefing with them for ensuring smooth conduct of Elections. ECI said, Special Observers, will be supervising and monitoring the work being done by the electoral machinery in states and oversee the entire poll processes as eyes and ears of the Commission on the ground to ensure free, fair, and voter-friendly elections.

-In Uttarakhand, after rejection, scrutiny, and withdrawal of nominations, a total of 632 candidates remain in the fray for 70 assembly seats going to polls on 14 February. According to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of the state, 95 candidates withdrew their nominations on the last date of withdrawal. Earlier, after the issue of notification on 21 January, 750 candidates had filed nomination papers for the elections, 23 nominations were rejected after scrutiny on 29 January.Uttarakhand goes to poll in one-phase on 14 February. Date of counting of votes is 10 March. Uttarakhand goes to poll in one-phase on 14 February. Date of counting of votes is 10 March.

-Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led Janata Dal (United) has released the names of 30 candidates for Manipur Assembly elections. Among the JD (U) list are two sitting MLAs Kh. Joykishan from Thangmeiband and Md. Ushad Uddin from Jiribam. The former DGP of Manipur LM Khaute has also been included in the list and he is going to contest the upcoming polls from Churachandpur (ST) seat. Mrs Th. Brinda Devi, the daughter-in-law of former Chairman of UNLF, an insurgent group based in Manipur will fight the polls from Yaiskul on JD (U) ticket. Moreover, the list consists of former active members of BJP who resigned from the party after BJP announced its list of its candidates and joined JD (U). Out of 30 candidates announced by JD (U) for Manipur polls this afternoon, nine candidates will fight the elections from the Assembly constituencies that fall under ST.