The Rajabala by-election is set to witness a five way contest after three more contestants filed their nomination papers today.
The candidates who filed their papers today are from UDP, BJP and one independent candidate.
Ashahel D. Shira (UDP) Kingstone B. Marak (BJP) and Carla Sangma (Independent) filed their papers today before the returning officer C N Sangma at the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Tura.
Shira, who is also an MDC from Batabari constituency, was accompanied by UDP minister Lahkmen Rymbui.
Rymbui while speaking to media persons exuded confidence that the party would wrest the seat in the by-poll.
Two more candidates, Norbert Marboh filed his nomination as an independent candidate and Esron Marweiñ from the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM).
Marboh a Congress ticket aspirant turned rebel, while speaking to reporters said that if elected during the bye-election he will fulfill the unfinished task of Late David Nongrum.
Earlier, NPP candidate and two-time MLA from Mahendraganj, Abdus Saleh was the first to file its nomination.
Yesterday, the Congress candidate, Hasina Yasmin Mondal filed her papers.
Mondal is the widow of sitting Congress MLA Dr Azad Zaman whose death on March 4 this year necessitated the by-election.
The announcement of the poll date for Rajabala constituency was delayed due to the problems with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In what is expected to be a close fight, all candidates have begun their canvassing activities to garner votes in the constituency.
The poll campaign began much before the announcement of the by-election. For now though there is no clear favourite.
The voting for the Rajabala by-poll will be held on October 30. Counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on November 2.
