From Our Correspondent
GUWAHATI: A total of 7,68,181 voters including 3,93,685 female voters will exercise their franchise across 1,164 polling stations across the tiny Northeastern state of Mizoram on November 28 as the state election machinery is all prepared to conduct election to the 40-member state Assembly.
Mizoram will be heading to the polls along with Madhya Pradesh and results will be declared on December 11. There are total 209 candidates including 15 women candidates in the fray and the BJP has fielded a maximum of six women candidates.
Voting will be held between 7 am and 4 pm. All polling stations will be equipped with EVMs.
Forty companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) have been deployed, who would be assisted by state police to ensure safety and security during the polls.
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.
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. Their 63 independent candidates including ZPM and Zoramthar nominees.
For over three decades since 1987 Mizoram elections have witnessed strong fights 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 ruling Congress, which has been in power since 2008 is hopeful of retaining power for the third consecutive term, while opposition MNF expects a 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 crucial for Congress to maintain its last bastion in the Northeast as Congress has lost power in all seven Northeast states much to the advantage of the BJP and its allies.