Prominent candidates clear nomination scrutiny for 2nd phase of LS polls

Nomination papers of all the prominent candidates were found valid Wednesday after the scrutiny for the second phase of polling to be held in five Lok Sabha seats of Bihar on April 18. Of the 89 nomination papers filed, 70 were found valid and 13 - mostly of independent candidates - were rejected.

The papers of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate for Katihar, Mithilesh Kumar Singh, was also rejected, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kumar Singh told reporters here. Candidates can withdraw their nomination papers till March 29 for the five LS seats - Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnea, Banka and Bhagalpur.

The Election Commission also held a meeting on Wednesday in Saharsa to review poll preparedness in five constituencies which would go to polls in third phase on April 23, Singh said.