A total of 118 candidates will be in the fray for the third phase of lok Sabha elections on April 24 in the State. During nomination process from March 29 to April 5, as many as 133 candidates had filed their nominations. During scrutiny, 9 nominations were rejected on April 7.
Of the remaining 124 candidates, six withdrew their nominations on Wednesday. Total 118 candidates have been left in the fray for third phase. Wednesday was the last day for nomination withdrawal. Thus, 118-118 candidates are left in fray for first and third phase, respectively and 142 for the second phase. The polling will be held on April 10, 17 and 24. In all, 378 candidates will contest elections in 29 constituencies which is 51 less than from 15th lok Sabha election in year 2009 when their number was 429.
On Wednesday, three candidates withdrew their names in Vidisha and one each in Ujjain, Indore and Khandwa. No nomination was withdrawn in Dewas, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Khargone and Betul on Wednesday.In the third phase, 12 candidates each will contest election in Vidisha and Ujjain, 11 in Dewas, 14 each in Mandsaur and Khandwa, 10 in Ratlam, 7 in Dhar, 22 in Indore and 8 each in Khargone and Betul.
After scrutiny, 13 candidates had filed their nomination for Vidisha Vidhan Sabha constituency by-election. Of them, 2 withdrew their nominations on Wednesday. With this, 11 candidates have been left in the fray for the by-election.