In Madhya Pradesh, a total of 118 candidates have been left in the electoral fray for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections to be held in nine constituencies on the 10th of next month.

Our Bhopal correspondent reports that 16 candidates withdrew their nominations yesterday.

He adds that the maximum 16 candidates are in the electoral fray in Balaghat segment,15 in Jabalpur and 14 each in Satna, Shahdol and Sidhi in the first phase of the elections.

Meanwhile a total of 162 nominations have been filed for the ten seats of the second phase of elections. Scrutiny of nominations will take place today for this phase. Voting will be held on the 17th of the next month.