Chennai: The first day of the nominations for the Lok Sabha and assembly bypolls in the State started on a sombre note as only six candidates filed their nominations yesterday.
One candidate each from from India Makkal Katchi (secular), SUCI party and one independent contestant filed their nominations for the North Chennai Lok Sabha constituency.
Similarly, one candidate from SUCI and one independent contestant filed their nominations for the South Chennai Lok Sabha constituency. Though no nominations were made for Central Chennai, an independent candidate filed his nomination to contest in the bypoll for Perambur assembly constituency.
Chief Electoral Office Satyabrata Sahoo said 20 candidates across Tamilnadu have filed their nominations to contest in the Lok Sabha elections. Nominations can be filed till 25 March except on Saturday and Sunday, the applications will be scrutinised on 26 March and the last date for withdrawal is 28 March.
Since the nominations have begun the election expenditure observers too have arrived in the State. Sources said usually one expenditure observer is appointed for each constituency during the Lok Sabha elections.
“However, this time two observers have been appointed for each constituency in Tamilnadu and in Central Chennai alone three observers have been deputed,” sources added.
Similarly one observer each has been appointed for the constituencies where the assembly bypolls are to be held except in Paapireddipatti, Harur, Gudiyatham and Ambur where two observers are deputed.
| Expenditure observers for Lok Sabha constituencies |
| Central Chennai |
| Manjeeth Singh – 95309 93410 |
| Mazzomdhar – 8985 970139 |
| Mangaraju – 91722 57521 |
| South Chennai |
| Guruprasad – 98452 55331 |
| Maarpu Naveen – 98490 95412 |
| North Chennai |
| Sanjeev Kumar Dev – 94087 92200 |
| Vivekanand – 99353 80337 |
| Sri Perumbudur |
| Ameesh Agarwal – 99539 09178 |
| Arjun Laliyath – 81301 44488 |
| Kancheepuram |
| Boopendar Singh Anand – 94087 92047 |
| Sujith Kumar – 94490 73437 |
| For by-poll |
| Poonamalle – Praveen Kumar – 98911 38191 |
| Perambur – Vivekanand Mauriya – 99353 80337 |
| Tiruporur – Boopendar Singh Anand – 94087 92047 |