PANJIM: Following scrutiny of nominations, there are 272 candidates in the fray for the February 4 Assembly elections. The final picture will be clear on Saturday, the final day for withdrawals. There were 405 nominations received and 133 nominations were dismissed.
“After scrutiny, 272 nominations are valid,” Additional Chief Election Officer (CEO) Narayan Navti told media persons. “But a clear picture will be known on Saturday after withdrawals,” he said.
BJP has fielded 36 candidates and is supporting two independents. Congress is contesting in 37 seats, while Nationalist Congress party has named 16 candidates and the MGP-GSM-Shiv Sena alliance has fielded 26. AAP is the only party to have fielded candidates in all 40 assembly seats, though one of its candidates had his party ticket rejected during scrutiny and will be on the ballot as an Independent.
There is no constituency, where there will be a one to one fight or triangular battle. St Andre, Cortalim and Velim have 12 candidates each, followed by ten candidates each in Fatorda and St Cruz.
There are nine candidates each in Mayem, Vasco and Dabolim, eight each in Pernem, Siolim, Sanquelim, Cuncolim, Sanguem, seven each in Mandrem, Mapusa, Porvorim, Panjim, Benaulim, Navelim, six each in Saligao, Aldona, Poriem, Shiroda, Mormugao, Margao, Quepem.
There are five candidates each in Bicholim, Cumbharjua, Ponda, Navelim, Curtorim and Sanvordem. The least number of candidates are four each in Tivim, Calangute, Taleigao, Valpoi, Priol and Curchorem.
