BJP's Rawat may take on Khanduri Jr in Pauri-Garhwal

The filing of the nomination papers for the April 11 Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand began on Monday, but no one filed their papers.

"No candidate filed nomination papers on the first day," said an official of the state electoral office.

Former Chief Minister BC Khanduri's son, Manish Khanduri, who joined the Congress on Saturday, bought the nomination papers for the Pauri-Garhwal seat.

Former state BJP chief and party national secretary Tirath Singh Rawat also bought the papers fuelling the speculation that he would get the party ticket from Pauri-Garhwal against the Khanduri junior.

State Chief Electoral Officer Sowjanya said the last date for the filing of nominations is March 25 and scrutiny will take place on March 26. Nominations can be withdrawn by March 28, she said.

Voting for the state's five Lok Sabha seats -- Tehri, Pauri-Garhwal, Almora (reserved), Nainital and Haridwar -- will be held in the first phase on April 11.

Sowjanya said 76,28,526 voters, including 88,000 from the armed forces, will participate in this year's elections in the state.

She said the model code of conduct will be followed strictly, and the use of loudspeakers will be banned between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the elections.

The polling will also be videographed, the official said.

--IANS

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