Stage is set for the crucial by-polls to two Assembly seats in UP with 18 candidates being in the fray for the polling scheduled on May 16.
The Election Commission said in lucknow on Monday that while 11 candidates are in the fray for the Bilari seat in Moradabad, seven are contesting for the Jangipur seat in Ghazipur. On the last day for withdrawals on Monday, six candidates withdrew their papers, with Jangipur accounting for five withdrawals.
In Bilari, 18 candidates have filed their nominations of which six papers were rejected during the scrutiny and one withdrew. In Jangipur, 12 candidates filed their papers and all were found in order during scrutine but later five withdrew.
The EC said that polling would take place on May 16 between 7 am to 5 pm while counting of votes would be taken up on May 19.