Mizoram assembly

1. Mizoram’s month-long assembly election begins, featuring 40 seats in a single-phase poll.
2. MNF and ZPM are key contenders, offering a unique political landscape in the state.
3. The counting of votes will take place on December 3, with 174 candidates in the fray.

Aizawl, Nov 07: Today marks the commencement of the month-long political showdown as Mizoram sets the stage for its assembly election. In this 40-member assembly, polling will be conducted in a single phase. Unlike other states undergoing elections, Mizoram has a unique political landscape with more than two primary contenders.

The Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Zoram Peoples’ Movement (ZPM) wield significant influence in the politics of this northeastern state. A total of 174 candidates will vie for victory in Mizoram, with the counting of votes scheduled for December 3.

UPDATE

  • Nearly 69 per cent of 8.57 lakh voters cast their votes for the Mizoram Assembly election till 3 pm on Tuesday. Polling began at 7 am on Tuesday and continued till 4 pm. The voting percentage was recorded at 68.96 in the first eight hours of polling.

  • Mizoram Assembly Polls 2023: State saw a voter turnout of 69.86 per cent till 3 pm
  • Of the 11 districts voting in Mizoram, Serchhip recorded the highest polling percentage of 60.37 as of 1 pm, followed by Khawzawl at 60.20 and Lawngtlai at 59.31, it added.Over 8.57 lakh voters, including 4.39 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the electoral fate of 174 candidates. Mizoram Additional Chief Electoral Officer H Lianzela said polling has been “peaceful and there has been no law and order issue till now”.
  • According to the polling trends, the voting percentage has been recorded at 52.73 in the first six hours of polling in Mizoram, as per the Election Commission data. The polling, which began at 7 am, will continue till 4 pm.
  • Of the total 11 districts in Mizoram, Lawngtlai recorded the highest polling percentage of 39.88 per cent. Khawzawl at 36.98 per cent and Serchhip at 36.86 per cent came after Lawngtlai. Saitual witnessed the lowest turnout of 26.15 per cent in the first four hours, followed by 29.62 per cent in Aizawl and 30.55 per cent in Lunglei district, according to the ECI data. Over 8.57 lakh voters, including 4.39 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the electoral fate of 174 candidates.
  • The voting percentage in Mizoram was recorded at 32.68 per cent till 11 a.m., as per the Election Commission data. Of the 11 districts, Lawngtlai recorded the highest polling percentage of 39.88 per cent, followed by Khawzawl at 36.98 per cent and Serchhip at 36.86 per cent till 11 a.m., it added.
  • 26.43% voter turnout recorded till 11 am in Mizoram
  • Mizoram CM and MNF president Zoramthanga cast his vote at a polling station under the Aizawl North-II assembly constituency. He could not vote earlier in the morning due to a technical glitch in the machine.

  • K Sapdanga, working president of ZPM (Zoram People’s Movement) and party’s candidate for the Aizawl North-III constituency cast his vote this morning.
  • Pu Rualhnudala, 101 years old and his wife Pi Thanghleithluaii, 86 years old, cast their valuable votes at 24/18 Ruantlang PS under 24-Champhai South Assembly Constituency.

  • 12.80% voter turnout recorded till 9 a.m. in Mizoram

  • Technical glitches in EVM were reported from a polling station in Aizawl where Chief Minister Zoramthanga is expected to exercise his franchise, the officials said. Of the 1,276 polling stations across Mizoram, 149 are remote voting centres, and 30 along the inter-state and international borders have been declared critical and vulnerable.
  • State Congress chief Lalsawta says, “We are confident that we can form the Government. This constituency is difficult to predict but I think we will come on top. We have already considered the possibility of securing 22 seats.”
  • Governor of Mizoram, Hari Babu Kambhampati, emphasizes the state’s high literacy rate and the awareness of citizens regarding their rights. He encourages the people of Mizoram to actively participate in the elections, thereby fortifying democracy. Governor Kambhampati expects a substantial voter turnout, considering the state’s historical commitment to exercising their voting rights.
  • Mizoram Congress chief Lalsawta casts his vote at a polling station in Mission Vengthlang of Aizawl.
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday urged people in Mizoram, especially the youth, to come out and vote in large numbers, as every vote will lay the foundation of a developed and prosperous Mizoram.

  • In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people in Mizoram to cast their votes in maximum numbers.

  • Voters arrive at polling station 27 in Mission Vengthlang in large numbers to cast their vote.
  • CM and MNF president Zoramthanga says, “It will not be a hung Assembly. It will be the MNF Government. I have full confidence in that. BJP is not an alliance partner. NDA is there in the Centre. Here in the state, we don’t have any alliance with BJP or any other party…We are only a partner of the NDA in the Centre, here in the state we support the NDA on issue-based.”

  • Chief Minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga casts his vote for the Mizoram Assembly Elections 2023 at 19-Aizawl Venglai-I YMA Hall polling station under Aizawl North-II assembly constituency.

  • Voting for Mizoram Assembly Elections 2023 begins.
  • Mock poll begins ahead of voting for the Assembly polls
  • The assembly election campaigns in Mizoram have revolved around critical issues, including matters related to the people’s ‘identity’ and welfare, as well as concerns about the ‘neglect of infrastructure,’ corruption, and unemployment. The state’s main political contest involves the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), Congress, and Zoram People’s Movement, while the BJP aims to play a pivotal role as a potential ‘kingmaker.’
Also Read: Seizures Worth Over Rs 210 Crore in Mizoram Elections, Announces CEO

Key Contestants and Constituencies

1. Zoramthanga (MNF) – Aizawl East-I:

  • Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, a prominent figure in this year’s assembly elections, will compete from the Aizawl East-I seat. He faces Congress candidate Lalsanglura Ralte and ZPM’s Lalthansanga, the party’s vice-president.
  • In the 2018 elections, Zoramthanga secured 42.9 percent of the votes, defeating independent candidate K Sapdanga with 30 percent and Congress’ K Vanlalrawna, who garnered 24.5 percent.

2. Lalsawta (Congress) – Aizawl West-III:

  • State Congress chief Lalsawta, another key candidate, will contest from Aizawl West-III. He will compete against ZPM candidate VL Zaithanzama and MNF candidate K Sawmvela.
  • Lalsawta, who served as the finance minister of Mizoram until 2018, won state elections in 2008 and 2013 from Aizawl East-II. However, he lost to MNF’s Robert Romawia Royte in 2018. In that election, the MNF secured the seat with 41.4 percent of the votes, while Lalsawta received only 26.9 percent.

3. Lalduhoma (ZPM) – Serchhip:

  • ZPM founder Lalduhoma is another prominent contestant in the Mizoram assembly elections, running for the Serchhip constituency against Congress’ R Vanlaltluanga and MNF’s debutant candidate J Malsawmzual Vanchhawng.
  • In 2018, Lalduhoma won from Aizawl West-1 but chose to represent Serchhip. He is a former IPS officer who was also part of the security detail for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

4. Vanlalhmuaka (BJP) – Dampa:

  • BJP state unit president Vanlalhmuaka will contest from the Dampa constituency, a significant seat for the saffron party. It was the only seat the BJP secured in 2018.
  • Vanlalhmuaka will face Mizo National Front’s (MNF) Lalrintluanga Sailo, Congress’ Lalhmingthanga Sailo, and ZPM’s Vanlalsailova.

5. Tawnluia (MNF) – Tuichang:

  • Mizoram Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia, also the MNF vice president, is contesting from the Tuichang constituency. Aged 80, he is the oldest candidate in the race, competing against ZPM’s W Chhuanawma.

Results from the 2018 Assembly Election:

  • In the 2018 elections, MNF secured 26 of the 40 assembly seats, ZPM won eight seats, Congress bagged five seats, and the BJP managed to win one seat.

Mizoram’s assembly election promises an intense and competitive battle with significant political players vying for the state’s legislative seats. The outcome of this election will play a crucial role in shaping the state’s political landscape.