Mizoram: The spotlight has shifted to the Northeast as all eyes eagerly await the result of Mizoram’s electoral mandate on Monday.
Following the voting to elect its 40-member legislative assembly on November 7, with four major contenders, namely the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the Congress, and the BJP, the political landscape is charged with anticipation.
As the counting of votes polled in the assembly elections in Mizoram began at 8am on Monday, very early trends showed a close fight between the ruling Mizo National Front led by chief minister Zoramthanga and the Zoram People’s Movement. Postal ballots and votes cast at home, a facility started for senior and specially abled voters, will be counted first before electronic voting machines will be taken out for counting.
Additional chief electoral officer H Lianzela said the counting was being held in 13 centres across Mizoram. One counting hall has been set up for each of the 40 assembly seats at these 13 centres, he said.
Originally slated for December 3, Sunday, the counting of votes in Mizoram, along with four other states, faced a one-day delay. This decision came in response to representations made by civil society to the Election Commission, pointing to a significant day in the religious calendar of the Christian-majority state.
Responding to appeals from both political parties and civil society organizations, and recognizing the unique importance of Sunday for the people of Mizoram, the Election Commission officially declared on November 29 the postponement of the vote counting in the state to Monday.
