Nine file papers for 7th phase

PATNA: The Election Commission on Monday issued notification for filing nomination papers for the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha election to be held for eight seats in Bihar on May 19.
Bihar’s additional chief electoral officer (ACEO) Sanjay Kumar Singh said altogether nine nomination papers were filed for the seventh phase on Monday, including the maximum four in Jehanabad, followed by two for Patna Sahib and one each for Pataliputra, Karakat and Buxar seats.
Sitting Jehanabad MP Arun Kumar, who is contesting this time as Rashtriya Samta Party nominee, Surendra Yadav of RJD and Sushil Kumar Singh of BSP were prominent among others who filed their nomination papers on Monday. Both Arun and Surendra are contesting for the Jehanabad seat while Sushil is trying his luck from Buxar, the ACEO added.
However, no nomination papers were filed for Nalanda, Sasaram and Ara Lok Sabha seats in the seventh phase. The ACEO said altogether 55 nomination papers were filed for the sixth phase of polls, with the maximum 11 for Purvi Champaran, followed by Vaishali (10), Gaya (9), Siwan (7), Sheohar (5), Paschim Champaran (3) and Maharajganj (3) seats.
The election on eight seats in the sixth phase will be held on May 12. Altogether four contestants withdrew their nomination papers from Sitamarhi and Madhubani, which will go to the polls in the fifth phase on May 6. Singh said while three nominations were withdrawn in Madhubani, one was withdrawn in Sitamarhi constituency.
Referring to the election to be held in the five constituencies in the third phase on Tuesday, Singh said around 89.09 lakh electorates would decide the fate of 82 candidates in the fray from Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria and Khagaria Lok Sabha constituencies.
While the polling will be held in all the constituencies from 7am to 6pm, except in Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Alouli and Beldaur assembly segments in Khagaria Lok Sabha constituency where voting will end at 4pm. Around 58,700 polling personnel would be deployed to ensure free, fair and peaceful election on Tuesday.
Mounted Military Police (MMP) and armed police personnel would patrol the riverine belt. Three choppers have been pressed into service to keep a surveillance on troublemakers in the region. One air ambulance will also be kept in readiness to provide assistance in case of any emergency.
In all, 2,940 micro observers have been deployed to monitor polling at super sensitive booths.