Varanasi: The process of filing nominations for the election to the Legislative Council’s Graduate and Teachers constituencies started at the divisional commissioner’s office compound on Tuesday. Officials clarified that eligible persons can still fill out the prescribed forms to become voters.According to the schedule issued by the Election Commission, the notification for filling the vacancies arising due to the completion of the tenure of Varanasi Division Graduate constituency member Ashutosh Sinha and Teachers constituency member Lal Bihari Yadav on Dec 6 was issued by the divisional commissioner on Tuesday.With this, the nomination filing process started at the courtroom of the additional commissioner (first) at the commissionerate compound at 11 am and continued till 3 pm. However, except for the procurement of nomination forms, no candidate turned up to file nominations on the inaugural day.For the Graduate constituency, nine forms were procured by aspirants, while five forms for the Teachers constituency were also taken on Tuesday.The nomination filing process will conclude on Oct 6, followed by scrutiny of papers on Oct 7. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is Oct 9. Polling will take place on Oct 22 between 8 am and 4 pm, while counting of votes will be held on Oct 27.Additional commissioner (administration) and assistant returning officer Alok Kumar Verma said candidates must be Indian citizens, should not be disqualified by the commission, and their names should be included in any Assembly electoral roll of Uttar Pradesh. Ten proposers, who must be voters in the concerned Legislative Council electoral roll, are required. The candidate must be at least 30 years old.The security deposit is Rs 5,000 for SC/ST candidates and Rs 10,000 for others. Candidates must submit Form 26, containing details of criminal cases and movable and immovable assets, on Rs 10 stamp paper through a notarised affidavit. Party candidates must submit authorisation in the prescribed forms.Meanwhile, DM and assistant returning officer Satyendra Kumar held a meeting with recognised political parties regarding polling stations. The Graduate constituency has 63,941 voters and 73 polling stations, with eight auxiliary booths proposed, taking the total to 81 booths at 21 centres.The Teachers constituency has 7,478 voters and will retain 21 polling stations. Eligible graduates and teachers not yet enrolled may apply through Forms 18 and 19. Bulk submission by any party or organisation will not be accepted; only family members may submit forms on behalf of their family.Both these elections from the Varanasi Teachers and Graduate constituencies were won by Samajwadi Party candidates Lal Bihari Yadav and Ashutosh Sinha. The SP has retained them for this election as well. The Bharatiya Janata Party has also released its list, declaring former MLCs Pramod Mishra and Kedar Singh as its candidates, although both had lost the previous election.
