Agartala, Feb 02: A total of 259 candidates including 31 women are in the fray for Tripura assembly elections scheduled on February 16 next.

Thursday was the last day of withdrawal of nominations; 32 nominations—CPM 13, Congress 3, Tipra Motha 3 and Independent 13- were withdrawn, according to Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Gitte.

Addressing a press conference, the CEO said, 259 candidates- BJP 55, Trinamool Congress 28, CPI 1, CPM 43, Congress 13, IPFT 6, Tipra Motha 42, CPI(ML) 1, AIFB 1, TPP 2, TSP 1, RSP 1, other unrecognized party 7, independent 58—are in the fray.

He said, total 310 nominations were filed for the assembly elections till January 30 last. After scrutiny, 19 nominations were rejected by the Election Commission on January 31.

Speaking to the media at the conference hall of West Tripura District Magistrate’s office, Gitte said, the postal ballot voting would commence from February 8 next. He also said, the number of polling stations had increased from 3328 to 3337 following increase in the number of electors.

Meanwhile, Tripura is expected to wotness a multi-cornered contest in the assembly elections on February 16. The counting of votes will take place on March 02.