Assembly elections: Filing of nominations in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry from Friday

Chennai: Filing of nominations for the May 16 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry would begin from Friday.

The Election Commission has laid down the procedure for filing of the nominations by the candidates in the 234 seats in Tamil Nadu and 30 seats in Puducherry, stipulating that only five people, including the candidate, would be allowed inside the returning officer's room while filing the nomination papers.

The last date for filing of nominations is April 29 and nominations can be filed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Scrutiny will be held on April 30 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations by the candidates is May 2.

With a multi-cornered contest in Tamil Nadu, the number of nominations is expected to be higher this time.

The various fronts led by AIADMK, DMK, DMDK, PMK, and the Bharatiya Janata Party are contesting in all the 234 seats. The nominations by these party's candidates as well as from other parties and by independents is expected to be around 1,500.