Aizawl, Oct 10: Following objections raised by the Congress party, the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has also expressed concerns about the counting date for the upcoming Mizoram elections, which is scheduled for Sunday, December 3.
The MNF’s general headquarters has written to the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, requesting a postponement of the counting date to Monday, December 4.
The Election Commission of India recently announced the polling dates for Mizoram, along with four other states. Mizoram is set to go to the polls on November 7, with the counting of votes scheduled for December 3, the same date as all five states undergoing elections.
In the letter addressed to the CEC, T.C. Kaphminthanga, General Secretary of the MNF General Headquarters, highlighted the significance of Sundays in Mizoram, where the population is predominantly Christian. He pointed out that Sundays are devoted to church meetings held in villages across Mizoram, making it an essential day for religious activities.
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It’s worth noting that the Congress party had also objected to the counting date due to it being on a Sunday. Lalsawta, the President of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee, wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, emphasizing that Sunday holds great religious importance for the people of Mizoram, who use it exclusively for worship. Additionally, he noted that no official programs or business activities typically take place on Sundays in the state.
In addition to political parties, the Mizoram Church Leaders Committee, also known as the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitu Committee (MKHC), expressed its concerns regarding the counting date falling on a Sunday. The committee highlighted the religious significance of Sundays for Christians and raised questions about conducting the vote count on December 3, which is a day of particular religious importance.
These objections raise questions about the scheduling of the counting date and its potential impact on voter participation and the sanctity of Sundays for the predominantly Christian population of Mizoram. The decision on whether to postpone the counting date remains in the hands of the Election Commission of India.
