Chakma, April 06: The Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram is set to hold elections in May, according to State Election Commissioner (SEC) Laima Chozah. The council has 20 members and the dates for the elections will be announced by the end of April, Chozah said. The current term of the council ends in the first week of May.
The CADC was created in 1972 for the Chakma tribals living in the southwestern part of Mizoram. There are 35,885 voters in the council, including 17,677 women, according to the final rolls published by the SEC on Wednesday.
There are 20 constituencies and 70 polling stations within the council. Kamalanagar ‘N’ has the highest number of voters at 3,533, while the Fultuli constituency has the least number of voters at 1,305.
In the last elections in April 2018, the Mizo National Front (MNF) won eight seats, Congress bagged six seats and the BJP won five.
Also Read: Arunachal CM Inaugurates Tana Agyang View Point in Ziro, praises convergence mode of project implementation
The Fultuli constituency, for which the election was countermanded, was won by Congress. However, all members of Congress and the BJP later defected to the MNF, bringing it to power. In December last year, the governor’s rule was imposed in the council due to political instability.
This upcoming election will be crucial as it will determine whether the MNF will be able to maintain its hold over the council or whether the opposition parties will be able to make a comeback. The Chakma community is one of the largest ethnic groups in Mizoram and plays a significant role in the state’s politics.
The CADC has the power to make laws on certain subjects such as land, forests, and the environment within its jurisdiction. It also has the power to make regulations on matters such as trade and commerce, agriculture, and animal husbandry. The council plays a crucial role in the development of the Chakma areas of Mizoram.
The announcement of the election dates has been welcomed by the people of the Chakma community, who are looking forward to exercising their democratic right to vote. The election is expected to be a closely fought contest, with all parties gearing up for the challenge.
The SEC has assured the people of a free and fair election and has urged them to participate in large numbers to make their voices heard. All eyes will be on the CADC in May as the political future of Mizoram’s Chakma community is decided.
