403 candidates so far in fray

A total of 403 candidates have so far signed up to contest the Delhi assembly polls with the process of filing of 

nominations set to close on Saturday, election officials said.

The filing of nominations, which began on 9 November, was closed on Friday on the occasion of Muharram.

A total of 268 candidates, including Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and BJP’s nominee for the top post, Harsh Vardhan, had filed their nominations on Thursday.

While the incumbent chief minister joined the fray for the New Delhi assembly seat, Vardhan is standing from the Krishna Nagar constituency.

After scrutiny of nominations on 18 November, candidates can withdraw from the electoral contest latest by 20 November.

The voting is scheduled for 4 December with the counting to take place on 8 December.

The term of the present Delhi assembly will come to an end on 17 December.