On last day, candidates file nominations under shadow of solar eclipse

BENGALURU: While it is common for candidates contesting the election to pick an auspicious time for filing their nomination papers, those filing their papers on Thursday (April 20) are in a fix. Reason: The solar eclipse. Those whose names were announced late on Wednesday and on Thursday are left with little option as today is the last date to file nomination papers for the May 10 Assembly polls..

The electioneering process picked up pace ever since filing of nominations began and candidates have been filing their papers after picking an auspicious time. Visits to temples before submitting the papers have also been commonplace.

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While those whose names were announced earlier, the candidates who are in a fix are those whose names were announced late on Wednesday and on Thursday. They are left with no choice, but to ignore the solar eclipse. As per the Hindu calendar, the eclipse was to last from 7.05 am to 12.29 pm. Candidates who are yet to file nominations will have to do so by 3 pm on Thursday.

Till Wednesday, 1,110 candidates from the national and regional parties, apart from Independents, had filed their nomination papers for the 224 Assembly seats in the state for which polling will be held in a single phase on May 10. The counting of votes will take place on May 13.