Maha polls: 7,995 candidates file 10,905 nomination papers for 288 assembly seats
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has received 10,905 nomination papers filled by 7,995 candidates vying for the 288 Maharashtra assembly seats on the last date (October 29) for filing nominations, officials said on Wednesday.
This amounts to an average of around 38 forms per constituency, or approximately 28 candidates competing for each seat in the November 20 elections.
In a statement late Tuesday, the CEO noted that the forms would be scrutinized on Wednesday, with November 4 as the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
The nominations include candidates from the ruling MahaYuti alliance of Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party-Nationalist Congress Party, as well as opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi allies Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP). Other parties involved include the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), along with smaller allies from both blocs.
Among the candidates are those officially endorsed by their respective parties, rebels, disgruntled candidates from various parties, family members or relatives vying against each other, some engaged in “friendly contests,” vote-splitters, nominees from smaller parties, a number of independents, and candidates claiming affiliation with different pressure groups, along with some frivolous entrants.
Starting Wednesday, political parties will engage in intense negotiations to reduce the number of rebels and potential vote-splitters from their sides.
Congress General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala stated that the MVA would ensure there are no so-called “friendly fights” among candidates within the opposition bloc and would urge all unofficial candidates to withdraw to avoid vote-splitting.
By November 4, a clearer picture of the contenders will emerge for all sides, along with information about formidable candidates and their opponents, allowing for suitable polling strategies to be developed.
After the polling on November 20, the counting of votes will take place on November 23, with both the MahaYuti and MVA optimistic about sweeping the polls despite the challenges ahead in their quest to capture Mantralaya.
