Over 280 candidates from 11 parties or running as independent candidates have registered to contest for all positions for the April elections in Lakes State, including for the office of governor.
SPLM, NCP, UDSF and ANC have fielded a candidate each for the top chair of governor, Radio Good News reported.Meanwhile, there are 175 candidates registered to contest the 45 seats of Lakes Legislative Assembly, which will make the ballot a much disputed exercise.
The SPLM is the strongest competitor in Lakes State, fielding 70 candidates for the national, southern Sudan and Lakes assemblies, followed by the ANC with 45 candidates and the NCP with 39.
Only the SPLM has filed candidates to all 29 state constituencies.
46 women will dispute the 12 places representing 25 percent of Lakes Assembly and 12 come from the SPLA, followed by eight from the ANC and six from the NCP.
A total of 71 candidates have registered to dispute the women list at the three legislative assemblies.
Finally, 18 independent candidates are running for legislative positions in the state bringing to 281 the total number of candidates contesting the elections in Lakes State, according to the Nominees lists published by the Lakes State High Election Committee.