Only 8 candidates file papers in Assam for Phase-1

Guwahati, March 23 (IANS) Although only 48 hours are left to file nominations for the five Assam Lok Sabha constituencies, which will go to polls on April 11 in the first phase, only eight candidates have, so far, filed their nominations."While two candidates filed nominations for the Kaliabar Lok Sabha constituency, another two have filed papers for the Jorhat constituency," said a source at the office of Chief Electoral Officer, here on Saturday.Two candidates have filed nominations for the Lakhimpur constituency, and one for the Tezpur constituency. For the Dibrugarh seat, one candidate has filed nomination papers.The last date for filing nominations for the first phase of polls is March 25."The two candidates who have filed nominations for the Kaliabar constituency are sitting Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and Bhaskar Sarmah, an independent candidate. In Jorhat, Kanak Gogoi has filed nominations as CPI candidate and Sushanta Borgohain on a Congress ticket," the official said."Sitting MP from Dibrugarh Rameswar Teli has also filed nominations from the constituency," the source said."In the Lakhimpur constituency, Anil Borgohain has filed nominations on a Congress ticket and Hem Kanta Miri as SUCI (Communist) party candidate. Independent candidate Ziabur Rahman Khan has filed nominations from the Tezpur constituency," the officials said.The 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam will go to polls in three phases -- April 11, 18 and 23.According to Assam Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Sahu, 2,17,60,604 electorates, which include 1,06,27,822 female voters, are set to cast their votes in the three-phased Lok Sabha polls in Assam.
--IANS ah/rs/pcj