Congress retains power in Mizoram

Four times Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla won from both Serchhip and Hrangturzo seats he had contested

After Sunday’s ignominious 4-0 defeat, the Congress on Monday had a face-saver of sorts, with the party retaining power in the North-Eastern state of Mizoram.

Election results were declared on Monday in Mizoram, India’s second most literate state. As the paper went to print, Election Commission website said the Congress had won in 32 constituencies and was leading in one in the 40-member Assembly.

Pu Lalthanhawla, 71, the incumbent chief minister, is all set to stake claim to form the next government and also for the coveted post for the second consecutive term in a row. Lalthanhawla had also been the chief minister of Mizoram for three more terms in the past. Lal Thanhawla won from two constituencies - Serchhip and Hrangturzo. This will be his ninth term in Mizoram assembly.

Though three opposition parties – Mizo National Front (MNF), Mizoram People's Convention (MPC) and Mizoram Democratic Front (MDF), formed a pre-poll alliance under the banner of Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA) to counter the Congress party, their electoral performance was below expectation. The MNF, which was in power in Mizoram from 1998 to 2008, could only win 4 seats (till filing of this report) and wasn’t leading in any seat. The other parties in the alliance could not open their account till 6:30pm.

Counting of votes in Mizoram was postponed to Monday by the Election Commission as Sunday is observed as prayer day in this Christian majority state of. The state witnessed around 81 per cent voting, which was held on November 25.

For the first time in India, Voter Verifiable Printer Audit Trail (VVPAT) was used in Mizoram elections. VVPAT was used in polling booths in 10 constituencies. Earlier, VVPAT was used on experimental basis in an assembly by-poll in Nagaland in September.  Mizoram also earned a rare-distinction during polls as there were more women voters than men.