Counting begins in Mizoram

Counting of votes for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, election to which was held on November 25, began at 8 AM today in the headquarters of all eight districts of the state amidst tight security.

The exercise began with the counting of postal ballots.

The fate of 142 candidates, including Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress, 11 of his cabinet colleagues, Zoram Nationalist Party president Lalduhawma, Mizo National Front chief Zoramthanga and Mizoram People's Conference chief Lalhmangaiha Sailo, will be decided.

The results would reveal if four-time Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla faced anti-incumbency this time.

He contested from two seats - his home turf Serchhip and Hrangturzo.

Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) president Lalduhawma also contested from two seats - Aizawl West II and Kolasib.

The ruling Congress and the opposition Mizoram Democratic Alliance, comprising MNF, MPC and Maraland Democratic Front (MDF), contested from all 40 constituencies.

The Chief Minister is facing tough opposition from C Lalramzauva, an advocate and the Mizoram Democratic Alliance nominee in Serchhip.

In the other seat Hrangturzo he is likewise pitted against a strong contender in Lalthansanga of the MDA, the sitting legislator.

The main opponent MNF leader and former chief minister Zoramthanga is trying his luck from Tuipui East seat.

Apart from Congress and MDA who contested all 40 seats, the ZNP is contesting 38 seats and the BJP 17 seats, while the NCP fielded two nominees, the Jai Maha Bharat Party contested one seats and independent four seats.

There were six women candidates - one each from the Congress and the MDA, three belonging to the BJP and one independent.

Mizoram is the only state in India where women voters outnumber men by 9,806 in the electorate of 690,860.