GUWAHATI: Total 7,68,181 voters including 3,93,685 female voters are to exercise their franchise across 1,164 polling stations in tiny Northeastern state of Mizoram on November 28 even as Mizoram state election machinery is all prepared to conduct election to the 40-member state Assembly.
Mizoram is going to poll along with Madhya Pradesh on November 28 and results will be declared on December 11. There are total 209 candidates including 15 women candidates in the fray. The BJP has fielded maximum number of six women candidates.
“Voting will be held between 7 am and 4 pm and EVMs would be immediately rushed to strong room once polling is over. All the polling stations are equipped with EVMs.
Forty companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) have been deployed, who would be assisted by state police to ensure smooth conduct of polling.
Counting will be held on December 11 in all eight district headquarters. In Aizawl, the counting will be held in five venues- Assembly Annexe, Hrangbana College, Govt. Aizawl College, Pachhunga University College and R. Dengthuama hall.
Meanwhile, political parties are busy in their final leg of electioneering that comes to an end at 4 pm on Monday.
Four National parties – Congress, BJP, NCP and NPP – and three regional parties and two unregistered state parties are contesting the assembly polls in Mizoram.
The ruling Congress and the main opposition party, the Mizo National Front (MNF) have fielded 40 candidates each, while the BJP is contesting 39 LACs. The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), an electoral alliance formed by two state political parties and four groups, has fielded candidates in 35 Assembly constituencies.
The newly-floated political party People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) has nominated 13 candidates, the National People’s Party (NPP) has fielded nine, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) five and Zoramthar floated by a pastor has fielded 24 candidates. There 63 independent candidates including ZPM and Zoramthar nominees.
For over three decades since 1987 Mizoram election has witnessed straight fight between the Congress and the MNF. The ZPM, a combine of six parties which is vouching for change and a new system in the state, is contesting the polls for the first time. The ZPM this time has added a new dimension to the traditional Congress-MNF fight in state polls.
The BJP, which has focused its electioneering on five constituency dominated by the minority Chakmas and Brus, expects to open its account I Mizoram Assembly.
The ruling Congress, which has been in power since 2008 is hopeful of retaining power for the third consecutive term, while opposition MNF expects simple majority. The Congress and MNF have ruled the state on different occasions since 1987. But none of the two parties has been able to form the government for the third consecutive term till date.
Two veteran politicians, 80-year-old Lal Thanhawla of ruling Congress and 74-year-old Zoramthanga of Mizo National Front (MNF) are in the focus of this year’s Mizoram Polls which is so crucial for Congress to maintain its last bastion in the Northeast. In all the rest seven N-E states, Congress has lost power over the years much to the advantage of the BJP and its allies.