Oct 14 (Reuters) - Canadian oil and gas producer Cenovus

Energy ( CVE ) said on Tuesday it has acquired about 21.7

million common shares of MEG Energy ( MEGEF ) prior to a vote on

the merger between the two companies.

Cenovus now owns or controls about 8.5% of MEG's 254.4

million outstanding shares, acquired since October 8.

The two companies have also revised a standstill agreement

to allow Cenovus to acquire up to 9.9% of MEG shares ahead of

the merger vote.

Earlier this month, Cenovus raised its bid for MEG to C$8.6

billion ($6.11 billion), including debt.

MEG's shareholder meeting has been postponed to October 22

from October 9 to allow investors more time to review the

amended proposal.

($1 = 1.4070 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Pooja Menon in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini

Ganguli)