IMPHAL, May 11:: Even as the deadline for withdrawal of candidature expired, altogether 495 candidates remain in the fray to fight for 144 seats in six ADCs in the five hills district of the State.
According to official of State Election Commission, as the day for withdrawal ended, altogether 507 candidates were found valid for contesting ADC elections.
Earlier in the day, around 51 candidates submitted applications for withdrawal from contesting ADC election to state election commission.
Of the remaining 507 candidates 12 candidates will win unchallenged, as nobody else filed nominations for their seats. This has left only 495 to fight on the day of the polling.
Among 51 candidates who withdrew candidature today, one was from INC, two from JD(U) and 48 were Independent candidates. District wise, from Senapati three Independent candidates withdrew; from Sadar Hills five Independent and one Congress candidate withdrew; from Tamenglong, three Independent candidates withdrew; from Churachandpur district, 19 Independent candidates withdrew; from Ukhrul district, four independent and one JD(U) candidates withdrew; and from Chandel, 14 Independent candidates and one JD(U) candidate withdrew.
The 12 seats won uncontested were, from Chandel district four NPF candidates and one BJP candidates; from Senapati and Sadar Hills two Congress candidates each.
The fate of the 495 candidates will be decided on June 1 when their electorates go on polling.