CHENNAI: A total of 950 candidates are in the fray for the April 19 single-phase polling to Lok Sabha elections in the state, after the last date for withdrawal of nominations came to a close on Saturday.
With the final list of the candidates out, the EC has also finalised the symbols for the independents and unrecognised political parties. VCK, which is contesting in two seats - Chidambaram and Villupuram reserved constituencies have been allotted pot and MDMK got a matchbox symbol. Former CM O Panneerselvam who is contesting as an independent in the Ramanathapuram LS seat has the jackfruit symbol.
According to the Election Commission, in all 1,749 nominations were filed. Of them, 1,085 nominations were found valid and 135 were withdrawn.
After scrutinising the nomination and withdrawal, 950 candidates including 76 female candidates are in the fray for the 39 constituencies.
The Karur constituency has a maximum of 54 candidates in the fray followed by South Chennai with 41 candidates and Namakkal with 40, after the withdrawal of nominations. The lowest number of candidates in the fray is nine in Nagapattinam and Kancheepuram (11).
According to the final list of candidates published by the EC, a total of 76 women candidates are in the fray. However, six constituencies - Chennai Central, Vellore, Villupuram, Salem, Pollachi and Thanjavur - have no women candidates in the fray. While the Karur constituency has a maximum of seven candidates followed by Chennai South with five. There are no transgenders candidates in the fray for the April 19 polls.
A total of 22 nominations were filed for the by-election to the Vilavancode Legislative Assembly constituency, Out of those, 14 nominations were accepted, said Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo.
However, 10 candidates are in the fray for the assembly by-poll.
Elections will be held for 39 Lok Sabha seats in the State and it will witness a four-cornered contest between the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), the Oppositon AIADMK-led front, the BJP-led alliance and the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK).