In Madhya Pradesh, the process of filing of nomination papers for the state legislative assembly elections will begin today with the issuance of notification. Our Bhopal correspondent reports that the nomination papers will be filed till 8th of this month. The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on 9th November while nomination papers can be withdrawn till 11th November. All the 230 assembly segments of the state will go to the polls in a single phase on 25th of this month. The election commission has made it clear that all the candidates will have to open a separate account in bank or post office to maintain details of election expenses.

Meanwhile the ruling BJP issued its first list of 147 candidates for the legislative assembly polls last evening. The party has denied tickets to two ministers Devi Singh Sayyam and Ramdayal Ahirwar and 16 MLAs. It has given tickets to three MPs Yashodhraraje Scindia, Bhupendra Singh and K D Deshmukh.

In Mizoram, according to the state election department, Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail, VVPAT system will be introduced for the first time in the state in 10 Assembly constituencies, 9 in Aizwal district and one in Serchhip. It is a method of providing feedback to voters using a ballotless voting system. VVPAT is intended as an independent verification system for voting machines designed to allow voters to verify that their vote was cast correctly and to detect possible election fraud or malfunction.

In Chhattisgarh, today is the last date for filing of nominations for the second phase of elections in the 72 constituencies. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place tomorrow and the last date of withdrawal of nomination papers is November 4. Polling for the second phase is scheduled on November 19.

The Commission has also finalised the election symbol for “None of the Above” (NOTA) option for voters to exercise in the forthcoming assembly polls in five states. The symbol is a rectangular box with the word “NOTA” written inside it.