Aizawl: Mizoram State Election Commission today announced that polling would be held on July 23 for the 15 village councils in the north-eastern part, adjoining Manipur, where the rural body polls could not be held earlier due to law and order problems. State Election Commissioner C. Ropianga told media that last day for filing nominations would be July 15 while the nomination papers would be scrutinised the next day and last date of withdrawal fixed on July 17.
“Counting would be held whenever the polling is over,” Ropianga said, adding that single ballot box and common ballot box can be used in the polls.
Village council polls would be held in 13 villages in Aizawl district and two villages in Kolasib district. Village council polls in the 15 villages could not be held on February 23 last year due to law and order situation and extended the village council terms in the area.
While the state election commission tried to conduct elections again in October last year, no one filed papers despite three-time postponement of last date of filing as the Manipur-based Hmar People’s Convention – Democrats asked party leaders in the area to boycott the village council polls. Now, with the HPC-D lifting the ban on Village Council polls last month, the government hoped that peaceful village council polls could be held in the area. (PTI)