1,534 in fray for phase one of Gujarat polls

Ahmedabad: A total of 1,534 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the 87 constituencies in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections on 13 December, an official said. Saturday was the last day for filing nomination papers for the first phase of the polls. The scrutiny of nomination forms will take place on 26 November. “We have received nomination forms of 1,534 candidates for the first phase. 988 candidates filed their nominations today. The scrutiny of the nominations will take place on 26 November,” additional chief electoral officer Ashok Manek told reporters in Ahmedabad on Saturday.[caption id=“attachment_534746” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Over 1,500 fates will be decided in the first phase of Gujarat polls on 13 December. Reuters[/caption] Last date of withdrawal of forms is 28 November, he said. Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Arjun Modhwadia filed his nomination papers from Porbandar assembly seat today where the BJP has fielded Babubhai Bokhiriya. There was heavy rush to file nominations on the last day as parties like Congress and Gujarat Parivartan Party finalised their candidates on Friday night. About 1.81 crore electors from Saurashtra, South Gujarat and four talukas—Sanand, Viramgam, Dholka and Dhandhuka—in western part of Ahmedabad will exercise their franchise in the first phase of voting on 13 December. PTI