With the issuance of the official notification for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections scheduled on April 19 for two seats in Meghalaya, the process of filling of nominations began today.
However, most of the candidates are likely to file their nominations next week for the Shillong and Tura parliamentary seats.
So far, only the NPP, UDP, VPP and Trinamool Congress have announced their candidates.
Cabinet minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and sitting MP Agatha Sangma are the NPP candidates for Shillong and Tura seats respectively.
UDP has announced the name of Robertjune Kharjahrin. He is backed by another regional party – HSPDP.
The VPP has fielded NEHU teacher Dr. Ricky A J Syngkon.
The Trinamool Congress has so far named former minister Zenith Sangma for the Tura seat and is yet to finalise on the Shillong seat.
Congress and BJP have not yet announced their candidates for the two seats.
The Meghalaya Congress has recommended the names of sitting MP from Shillong seat Vincent H. Pala and sitting MLA Saleng Sangma for the Shillong and Tura seats respectively.
Moreover, the State BJP has forwarded six names for the Shillong seat. They include cabinet minister Alexander L. Hek, former State party president Ernest Mawrie, Fenela Lyngdoh Nonglait, State BJYM president Mewaker Lyngdoh and BJP National Executive member Sumitra Laloo.
The BJP’s ticket aspirants for Tura seat include sitting Tura MDC Bernard N. Marak, former MLAs – Winnerson D. Sangma and K C Boro, former MDC Boston Marak, Riya Sangma and Thomas Marak.
According to the schedule announced by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, the last date for filing nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election in Meghalaya is March 27 and scrutiny of candidatures would take place the next day. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is March 30.
