Filing of nominations begins in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, March 18 (IANS) The filing of nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections began in Uttarakhand on Monday.State Chief Electoral Officer Sowjanya said the last date for the filing of nominations is March 25 and scrutiny will take place the next day, on March 26. Nominations can be withdrawn by March 28, she said. Voting for the state's five Lok Sabha seats -- Tehri, Pauri-Garhwal, Almora (reserved), Nainital and Haridwar -- will be held in the first phase, on April 11. Sowjanya said that a total of 76,28,526 voters, including 88,000 from the armed forces, will participate in this year's elections in the state. She said the model code of conduct will be followed strictly, and the use of loudspeakers will be banned between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the elections. The polling will also be videographed, the official said.
--IANS str/rtp/bg