1,243 remain in fray after scrutiny of nominations

CHANDIGARH: After the scrutiny of 1,941 nomination papers filed for the Punjab assembly elections, only 1,243 candidates remain in the fray. As many as 695 papers were rejected during the scrutiny on Thursday, while three cases have been kept pending.

Of the 15 nominations filed for the Amritsar parliamentary bypoll, five were rejected, leaving only 10 candidates in the fray for the Lok Sabha seat vacated by Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh.

Punjab chief electoral officer spokesperson said January 21 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Officials said most candidates whose papers were rejected were independents.HTC