Mizoram Elections: Over 76 per cent voters turn out to exercise their franchise; fate of 174 candidates locked in EVMs

Aizawl:  The northeastern state  of Mizoram is witnessing a tight contest between the ruling party, Mizo National Front (MNF),  the Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM), the Congress, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, who showed a majestic result in the council election held in April this year, expects to repeat the magic in the assembly election, too.

The polling for all 40 seats in the state commenced at 7 am on November 7.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who is chief of Mizo National Front, is seeking re-election from Aizawl East-1 assembly constituency. Former rebel turned politician Zoramthanga is the third-time chief minister of the hilly state and is seeking for a repeat of the 2018 result. Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) chief Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer who is also the party’s chief ministerial candidate, is in the fray from the Serchhip constituency.

The Mizo National Front, Indian National Congress and the Zoram People’s Movement have fielded candidates for all 40 seats, and BJP has fielded 23 candidates.

A total of 174 candidates were in the fray. Nearly 78 per cent of 8.57 lakh electors cast their votes on Tuesday in the Mizoram assembly elections to form the next state government.

Ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) led by CM Zoramthanga, INC and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) are fighting from all 40 constituencies. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded 23 candidates. BJP state president Vanlalhmuaka is contesting from the Dampa constituency against Mizo National Front’s (MNF) Lalrintluanga Sailo, Lalhmingthanga Sailo of Congress, and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) Vanlalsailova. In the 2018 assembly election ruling MNF bagged 27 seats while the  Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM), the regional party bagged eight seats. The Congress bagged five seats in the 2018 assembly polls, while the BJP opened its account in the Christian-dominated state with one seat as  party’s current state president, Vanlalhmuaka won from the Dampa constituency.