At the end of withdrawal of nominations on Monday, as many as 255 candidates remained in fray for the by-elections to be held in 18 Assembly constituencies and Nellore Lok Sabha constituency on June 12.
Talking to media persons at Secretariat, Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal said that 242 candidates were in fray for 18 assembly constituencies and 13 candidates would contest for Nellore parliamentary constituency. He said that out of 267, a total of 25 candidates have withdrawn their nominations for assembly constituencies. Ongole topped with 23 nominations, while Rajampeta and Tirupati seats have 19 candidates in fray. There are six candidates each in Narsannapeta and Polavaram constituencies.
As many as 16 candidates are in fray from Parkal assembly constituency, the lone seat in the Telangana region.
The CEO said that more than 3,000 people have been taken into preventive custody and bind-over cases have been booked against 28,450 persons across the State. So far, the authorities have seized nearly Rs 24 crore cash and 1.58 lakh litres liquor which was suspected to be used to influence the voters in by-elections. (INN)