Mizoram Assembly polls conclude; 73% polling till 3pm

Around 6.9 voters in Mizoram across 1,126 polling booths cast their choice

The North-Eastern state of Mizoram today voted to elect members for its seventh legislative assembly. Till 3pm, the state recorded 73 per cent polling across all the 40 assembly constituencies and the voting was absolutely peaceful. The polls concluded at 4pm.

The electoral fates of 142 candidates were sealed in electronic voting machines (EVMs) by around 6.9 lakh voters in Mizoram across 1,126 polling booths. Prominent candidates in fray were incumbent chief minister Lal Thanhawla of Congress party, former chief minister and leader of Mizo National Front (MNF) Zoramthanga, in addition to all the 11 ministers in the present government. The Congress party fielded 31 out of its 32 sitting MLAs in this election.  

The electoral fight in the hilly state was between the ruling Congress party, which was facing anti-incumbency, and three opposition parties – Mizo National Front, Mizoram People's Convention (MPC) and Mizoram Democratic Front (MDF), who formed a pre-poll alliance under the banner of Mizoram Democratic Alliance. The BJP, which has a marginal presence in the state, too contested from 11 seats.