Shillong, April 9 (PTI): Krinilla Marak, wife of deceased NCP leader Jonathone N Sangma, stepped into her husband's shoes today and filed nominations for the April 27 election to Williamnagar assembly constituency, an official said here today.
The polling to the seat in East Garo Hills district was countermanded after Sangma was killed in an IED blast on February 18, two weeks ahead of the state elections.
"We have received nomination papers of Jonathone Sangma's wife Krinilla Marak, who will be contesting the polls on an Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ticket," District Election Officer Ram Kumar told PTI.
She was the only candidate to have filed nomination papers today, he said.
The state election department has sought deployment of four companies of central armed police forces for the 58 polling booths in the constituency, Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor said.
"We have written to the Election Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs, seeking deployment of central forces," he told PTI.
The Williamnagar poll is expected to be peaceful with the death of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) chief Sohan D Shira on February 24 and the subsequent surrender of the outfit's cadres, he added.
Krinilla Marak will lock horns with Congress cabinet minister Deborah C Marak, former National People's Party MLA Marcuise Marak and a few other Independent candidates.
The Election Commission has set April 10 as the last date for filing nominations. The scrutiny of papers will be done the following day.
The counting of votes has been scheduled for May 1.
