iMizoram : Blog Title the same as above

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Most peaceful elections ever in Mizoram

AIZAWL, Nov 29 – Mizoram had gone to the Assembly elections on November 25 without any untoward incident, save for a couple of EVM technical snags. The November 25 Mizoram poll was billed as the most ever peaceful Assembly elections in the history of the state by observers, thanks to the Mizoram People’s Forum (MPF), the church-sponsored state election watchdog.

Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashwani Kumar has expressed gratitude to the people, churches and NGOs, especially the state election watchdog, for all their concerted efforts in ensuring fair and peaceful election.

“No problem was witnessed which could perturb the election across the state, and was successfully completed under peaceful atmosphere, which was really appreciable,” the CEO said.

During this electioneering, no political parties used loud speakers, no public feasting was held by candidates or by parties, and minimum number of posters were seen pasted on walls. Candidates and political parties had strictly adhered to the code of conduct laid by the Mizoram election watchdog.

Three months before the poll, the MPF had asked all the political parties not to set up any ‘campaign office’ in connection with the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. However, door to door campaign was allowed till ten days before the election.

The MPF was floated by the Synod, the largest church body in Mizoram as an election watchdog. It also had informed all the political parties in the state to take steps in accordance with the model code of conduct framed by the Election Commission of India. It, however, opposed any agitation by any group or community that could have disturbed the preparation for the Assembly elections.

Three months before the elections, the MPF had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with major political parties in Mizoram so that free and fair elections could be held. The MoU was nothing but a general understanding for cooperation by the political parties with the MPF.

The parties, which had signed the MoU with the local election watchdog, are the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Mizo Peoples Convention (MPC), Zoram National Party (ZNP), Mizo National Front (MNF) and the BJP.

There were about 27 rules made by the MPF for the political parties to abide. Among these one was that the political parties should only make an election manifesto which they could implement. If any political party violated any one of the 27 points, the MPF would make that party ‘invalid’.

Again, the state’s corruption watchdog, the People’s Right to Information and Development Implementing Society of Mizoram (PRISM) had also carried out its spadework as to what extent the present Congress government had implemented the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) election manifesto of 2008.

Like in the previous 2008 Assembly elections, the PRISM had declared that as soon as the date and time of 2013 state Assembly elections were declared, it would have temporal halt on its ‘anti corruption’ campaign but would start an exclusive study of the background of different candidates in different respects and expose the same before the public.

In case of any faulty or wrong information in the nomination paper (self declared affidavit) filed for the assembly election, the PRISM had decided to take stern measure against the candidate to bring right judgement over the case. The watchdog had further requested any interested person to report themselves to the PRISM office if they wished to talk about the status of implementation of the election manifesto by the present government.

32,429 officials cast votes through postal ballot

New Delhi, Nov 29 : A total of 32,429 government officials, who will be on election duty Dec 4, have cast their votes through postal ballots till Thursday evening, an election commission official said.

Of the government officials, more than 25,220 civil defence personnel and 6,070 policemen had cast their votes since Nov 24 when the postal ballot process began.

"This year, we have a record voting by government officials through postal ballot in comparison to 1,600 people in the 2008 assembly elections. The postal ballot process will continue till Dec 1," said Ankur Garg, chief nodal officer at the Delhi election office.

"We have maintained a database of those who are on election duty and they were provided Form 12 to express their interest in voting for the elections," he added.

The entire process has been videographed and all political parties have been kept in the loop, said the officer.

Concerted efforts have been taken this time to ensure maximum participation of those on election duty, he said.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Mizoram police nab murder suspect

AIZAWL, Nov 27 : Assistance from the commercial sex workers helped Mizoram police to nab a criminal. “With the help of some commercial sex workers here police are said to have arrested a murder suspect, whose search had been on”, the news report said, adding, “A heavy criminal case has been registered”, quoting Joseph Lalchhuana, SP, CID (Crime).

Consequence upon the help rendered by the women on the street, Aizawl Police Station is now known to keep proper record of the details of taxis on service at night in the city, which is done to prevent any untoward incident upon the commercial sex workers, locally known as KS, the report quoted the police officer as saying.
The story of the prostitutes helping the police in tracking the criminal was reported few days ago in the programme of “One Day Workshop for creating Awareness to prevent and combat Trafficking of Women and Children for Commercial Sex Exploitation”, which was held at I&PR Auditorium.
One of the presenters of papers in the said programme, Joseph Lalchhuana, SP, CID (Crime) mentioned that recent study shows that the commercial sex workers are becoming more concern over their personal security these days.

The SP, CID (Crime) shared that the police had received a complaint over a death of one woman, following which vigorous effort was made to nab the criminal, in the midst of which one commercial sex worker, her face and neck left with marks over painful hits, came to Aizawl Police Station one morning.
It was learnt, he continued, that the prostitute who came to the police station that morning had encountered an unfortunate incident in a jungle when her customer, unwilling to pay money, strangled her in order to kill her.

The mischievous man left her, thinking she was dead. But the woman regained consciousness at dawn, and came to the Police Station for help. The marks of bite left on the neck of the murdered woman and the dental casting of the arrested man matched well, thus the criminal identified and thereby a heavy criminal case registered against him, the SP narrated.

104-yr old woman casts vote in Champhai

Aizawl: A 104-year-old woman became the oldest voter in the election to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, for which polling was held on Monday.

Kimchawngi exercised franchise in the North East Khawdungsei-II polling station for Lengteng constituency in Champhai district, poll officials said.

She was one of the first voters to turn up today.

Another elderly who cast vote today was Lianheli (103) who exercised her franchise in the Baktawng Tlangnuam polling station, the village occupied by members of the Chana's sect, whose leader Ziona is the head of the largest family in the world with more than 160 members.

State election department officials said there were two polling stations which achieved 100 per cent polling.

Hlumte polling station in South Mizoram's Lunglei (East) constituency, which has 102 voters, achieved 100 per cent polling while another polling station in Tawitawkawn, with only 47 voters also achieved cent per cent polling.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Mizoram Assembly election: 64 per cent polling reported till 1 pm

Sixty-four per cent polling has been reported in Mizoram till 1 pm with no reports of any untoward incident.

Polling to elect a new Assembly in Mizoram began at 7 am with the main contenders - ruling Congress and opposition Mizoram Democratic Alliance comprising MNF, Mizoram People's Conference and Maraland Democratic Alliance - contesting at all 40 seats.

All the seats are reserved for ST nominees, except Lunglei South which is for general candidates. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress and all his 11 ministers are among the 142 candidates in fray.

Women outnumber men by a margin of 9,806 in the electorate of 6,908,60. While there are 3,50,333 women in the electorate, male voters count 3,40,527.

Chief Minister's brother and Parliamentary Secretary Lal Thanzara who cast his vote in his home constituency Aizawl North 3 predicted 28 seats for the Congress.

For the first time in the country, a voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) system will be tried in this election on a larger scale, in 10 constituencies. It was first experimented in an Assembly bypoll in Nagaland in September.

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla (Congress) is contesting from two constituencies - Serchhip, his home turf, and neighbouring Hrangturzo, while opposition MNF leader and former Chief Minister Zoramthanga (MNF) is trying his luck from Tuipui East bordering Myanmar.

The Congress, which had won 32 seats in 2008, has fielded 31 of the sitting MLAs. Only Nirupam Chakma was replaced by B D Chakma, chief executive member of the Chakma Autonomous District Council.

There are six women candidates - three fielded by BJP, one each by Congress and MNF and one rebel MNF candidate.

There are 1,126 polling stations in the state, of which 94, mostly in border areas, have been identified as 'critical' where security has been beefed up.

An additional 31 companies of central para-military forces and state police of neighbouring states have been deployed to oversee the polls apart from seven armed battalions of the state police.

Security has been tightened all along the Manipur border as also along the unfenced 64-km border near the tri-junction of Mizoram, Tripura and Bangladesh in Mamit district.

Of the 40 candidates fielded by the MNF, MDA which is a senior partner of the MDA, is contesting at 31 seats, the MPC and the MDF have fielded candidates in eight and one constituencies respectively.

Other contesting parties are Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP, 38 seats), BJP (17), NCP (two) and Jai Maha Bharath Party (one). There are four independent candidates.

Myanmarese national arrested for carrying cash during election

AIZAWL: A Myanmarese businessman was on Monday arrested at the border village of Zokhawthar in Mizoram for carrying cash more than the permissible limit set by the Election Commission.

The person was arrested as he was carrying Rs 18 lakh which is against the Election Commission directive, which prohibits carrying over Rs 50,000 in cash, district magistrate and district election officer Lalthangpuia Sailo said.

"The arrested person claimed that he did not keep the cash for campaigning but had collected it from the traders who took his commodities on credit," Sailo said.

Zokhawthar is a trading centre in the state for carrying out Indo-Myanmar border trade.

The matter was being investigated, he said. Assembly polls are being held in Mizoram on Monday to elect representatives to the 40-member House.

Voting underway in Mizoram

People stand in queue outside a polling booth in Mizoram

Aizawl: Polling to elect a new Assembly in Mizoram began at seven this morning with the main contenders - ruling Congress and opposition Mizoram Democratic Alliance comprising MNF, Mizoram People's Conference and Maraland Democratic Alliance - contesting at all 40 seats.

All the seats are reserved for ST nominees, except Lunglei South which is for general candidates. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress and all his 11 ministers are among the 142 candidates in fray.

Women outnumber men by a margin of 9,806 in the electorate of 6,908,60. While there are 3,50,333 women in the electorate, male voters count 3,40,527.

For the first time in the country, a voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) system will be tried in this election on a larger scale, in 10 constituencies. It was first experimented in an Assembly bypoll in Nagaland in September.

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla (Congress) is contesting from two constituencies - Serchhip, his home turf, and neighbouring Hrangturzo, while opposition MNF leader and former Chief Minister Zoramthanga (MNF) is trying his luck from Tuipui East bordering Myanmar.

The Congress, which had won 32 seats in 2008, has fielded 31 of the sitting MLAs. Only Nirupam Chakma was replaced by BD Chakma, chief executive member of the Chakma Autonomous District Council.

There are six women candidates - three fielded by BJP, one each by Congress and MNF and one rebel MNF candidate.

There are 1,126 polling stations in the state, of which 94, mostly in border areas, have been identified as 'critical' where security has been beefed up.

An additional 31 companies of central para-military forces and state police of neighbouring states have been deployed to oversee the polls apart from seven armed battalions of the state police.

Security has been tightened all along the Manipur border as also along the unfenced 64-km border near the tri-junction of Mizoram, Tripura and Bangladesh in Mamit district. Of the 40 candidates fielded by the MNF, MDA which is a senior partner of the MDA, is contesting at 31 seats, the MPC and the MDF have fielded candidates in eight and one constituencies respectively.

Other contesting parties are Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP, 38 seats), BJP (17), NCP (two) and Jai Maha Bharath Party (one). There are four independent candidates.

Mizoram votes today, 36.63 pc votes recorded till 11 AM

Polling began for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly at 7 AM today with 36.63 per cent votes cast in the first four hours, state joint chief electoral officer H Lalengmawia said.

Brisk polling was reported from many polling stations in Aizawl where long queues were seen in front of the booths in Mission Veng and Thakthing areas even before the elections began.

Elderly men and women were brought to the polling stations by their family members to exercise franchise in the early hours.

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla cast his vote with his wife Lal Riliani at Zarkawt-II polling station which is in the building of Government Combined Middle School at Babutlang area in Zarkawt locality.

The Chief Minister, belonging to Congress, and all his 11 ministers are among the 142 candidates in fray.

Speaking to reporters after exercising franchise at 9:45 AM, Lal Thanhawla said he was confident of retaining power in the state.

"I have high hopes that we will retain power with a thumping majority by bagging the same number of seats (32) if not more," he said.

The people want Congress to be in power for its developmental work and running a clean government, he said.

The atmosphere in front of the polling stations was low-key and less festive due to strict diktats of the Mizoram People's Forum (MPF), the church sponsored election watchdog.

Ruling Congress and opposition Mizoram Democratic Alliance comprising MNF, Mizoram People's Conference and Maraland Democratic Alliance are contesting all the 40 seats.

Former chief minister Zoramthanga, president of the MNF was in his constituency - East Tuipui, in Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai district and could not be contacted.

Women outnumber men by a margin of 9,806 in the electorate of 6,908,60. While there are 3,50,333 women in the electorate, male voters number 3,40,527.

Security has been tightened all along the Manipur border as also along the unfenced 64-km border near the tri-junction of Mizoram, Tripura and Bangladesh in Mamit district.

There are 1,126 polling stations in the state, of which 94 have been identified as 'critical'.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

MZP demands completion of Bru repatriation

Even as the Bru refugees who are now camped in Tripura have been allowed to cast their votes outside Mizoram in the ensuing assembly elections, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the largest students’ body in the State, has reiterated their fervent wishes afresh that the process of Bru repatriation be completed before the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, so that the former exercise their franchise inside Mizoram.

In a press conference, MZP president Lalhmachhuana said, “Regarding the Bru refugees who have been for the last 15 years creating problems from outside Mizoram to the Mizos here, we find it utmost necessary to tie the last knot (indicating completion of repatriation process), and so we want conclusion.”

“It is apparent that as long as the Bru refugees are included in the Mizoram electoral roll, the Election Commission of India would like to arrange so as to ensure they exercise their franchise conveniently and fully, because of which we want immediate and complete repatriation of genuine residents of Mizoram, and this simultaneously do away with vote casting outside the State”, MZP president said.

Adding that MZP plans to make a move as the situation demands Lalhmachhuana said, “Mizoram government is not in a debt of allotting voting right to those people who do not want to be a good citizen and moreover who resist to come back despite repeated calls.”

“MZP shall take every possible step in a vigorous way so that those not complying with arrangement made for them get deleted from the Electoral Roll”, he added. Also talking about the demand of Gorkhalis in Mizoram for the constitutional status of Other Backward Class (OBC), MZP said that they will not in any way agree with the same.

‘We shall not in any way allow the same to be materialized”, MZP president said, adding, “What the Indian constitution referred to as OBC are those economically and educationally backward but the Gorkhalis in Mizoram are, being indigenous people, quite high in educational rate as well as well to do economically and in fact, some of them are even better off than the Mizos.”

It is pertinent to note that hundreds of Brus left Mizoram in 1997 and 2009. The first case was triggered when Bru militants murdered two Mizos who were forest guards on October 21, 1997. The second case happened after a 17-year-old Mizo boy was killed by the Brus near Bungthuam village on November 13, 2009. When the Bru left Mizoram they had driven out some Mizos in villages of Sakhan Hill Range in Tripura like Sakhan Serhmun, Sakhan Tlangsang, Sakhan Tualsen and Upper Dosda which had kicked up much ruckus in Mizoram then.

Meanwhile, a couple of years ago, head count conducted by the MBDPF found that there had been 31,703 Brus in the relief camps belonging to 5,448 families who were bona fide residents of Mizoram.

The repatriation of the 1997 batch of Bru refugees was underway until it stalled by the November 13 killing.

In the year 2011, conglomeration of major NGOs in Mizoram had submitted a joint memorandum to the then Union Home minister P Chidambaram to rehabilitate the displaced Mizos in Tripura and stall the ongoing repatriation of Brus from Tripura to Mizoram. The memorandum was signed by representatives of four large NGOs in the state--the Young Mizo Association (YMA), the MZP, the Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP) or elders association and the Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) or the women›s federation and four political parties.

Man who sacrificed CM’s chair for Mizo peace

AIZAWL: At 71, Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla is surprisingly energetic. At the close of a gruelling campaign, he has touched virtually every corner of his state. The party's star campaigner, much of his exertion was because every party candidate wanted him to address at least one rally in his constituency. "I hardly come to Aizawl these days. I have to visit all 40 constituencies," he says.

Born to a staunch Christian family in 1942, Lal Thanhawla is remembered as the man who sacrificed his chair for peace in Mizoram. When the then underground MNF leader Laldenga signed the 1986 Mizo accord, he quit as CM to allow MNF to form an interim government.

He has the Gandhi family's confidence and not only helped end the state's insurgency problem but also ensured the Congress fl ag flies high in this hill state. Lal Thanhawla is contesting from Serchhip and Hrangturzo. "The church is happy, people are happy there is no corruption and we have brought development. The New Land Use Policy (NLUP) is a hit and helped farmers and the poor," he says brimming with confidence.

The land scheme notwithstanding, the CM is not leaving anything to chance. Aware that he is of the fight the threeparty opposition Mizo Democratic Alliance is putting up. Although Congress swept the 2008 polls winning 32 of the 40 seats, things are not as rosy, at least in Aizawl, this time. The city alone accounts for 11 seats. "All parties now use NLUP. Those who doubted it when we launched say they will improve it," he says.

He attacks the opposition alliance saying: "They were together earlier and then broke. They are friends again for power. Hope they realize their mistake." In 1998, the Mizo National Front-Mizoram People's Conference formation won a landslide.

Besides the two, the alliance now has the Maraland Democratic Front.

Audit trail system in polls today

Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress and all his 11 ministers are among 142 candidates who will be contesting for the 40-member Assembly election on Monday.
For the first time in the country, voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) system will be used in this election in a larger scale, in 10 constituencies.
It was first experimented in an Assembly bypoll in Nagaland in September.
The VVPAT is a machine attached to EVMs which allows voters to check if their votes are cast the way they wished.
All the seats in Mizoram are reserved for ST nominees, except Lunglei South which is for general candidates.
Both the ruling Congress and the Opposition Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA), comprising MNF, Mizoram People’s Conference and Maraland Democratic Alliance, have fielded candidates in all the 40 seats.
Mr Thanhawla (Congress) is contesting from two constituencies — Serchhip, his home turf, and neighbouring Hrangturzo — and Opposition MNF leader and former chief minister Zoramthanga (MNF) is trying his luck from Tuipui East bordering Burma.
Speaker R. Romawia and deputy Speaker Johalso are in the fray from Aizawl North-I and Mamit seats respectively. The Congress, which had won 32 seats in 2008 has fielded 31 of the sitting MLAs.

Mizoram: Voting begins, close fight between Cong and combined oppn

Aizawl: Balloting began at 7 a.m. Monday for the 40-member Mizoram legislative assembly, an official said. Over 6.8 lakh voters are eligible to vote in the exercise to elect 40 members from among 142 candidates. Counting will be held Dec 9.

A newly-designed device, the Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, is being used in 10 constituencies to help voters confirm that their votes were cast in favour of the candidate and party they opted for.

AFP AFP The main fight is between the ruling Congress and the combined opposition led by the Mizo National Front (MNF). Veteran Congress leader and the Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is hoping to return to power on the basis of the developmental works completed in the last five years.

He is contesting from two Assembly seats. The three party opposition alliance led by the MNF is banking on anti-incumbency that according to them will help them capture the power.

Former chief minister and the MNF chief Zoramthanga is leading the opposition Mizo Democratic Alliance (MDA) against the ruling Congress. The Christian and tribal dominated state witnessed a very peaceful campaigning under the watchful eyes of the most powerful church. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi have also campaigned for the party in Mizoram.

The BJP, which has no base in the state, has also fielded 11 candidates. The election is being fought mainly on local issues. The ruling Congress is highlighting its achievements while the opposition is accusing the ruling party of large scale corruption.

Mizoram Chief Electoral officer Ashwini Kumar said, “All preparations are almost complete for the polls. Polling officials accompanied by security forces have reached their polling stations.”

According to Mizoram Director General of Police (DGP) Amulya Patnaik, not a single untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state during campaign.

The Mizoram poll was earlier scheduled for December 4 and the counting was scheduled for December 8. But the church requested the Election Commission to change the dates allowing the voters to go to church on Sunday and to celebrate a local festival.

The counting will take place on December 9. Statistics Total Seats - 40 Total Number of Voters - 6.91 Lakh Total Number of Polling Booths - 1126 Result - December 9

Mizoram polls Today, VVPAT machines introduced for first time

Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress and all his 11 ministers are among 142 candidates who will be contesting for the 40-member Assembly election on Monday.
For the first time in the country, voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) system will be used in this election in a larger scale, in 10 constituencies. It was first experimented in an assembly bypoll in Nagaland in September. The VVPAT is a machine attached to EVMs which allows voters to check if their votes are cast the way they wished.
All the seats in Mizoram are reserved for ST nominees, except Lunglei South which is for general candidates. Both the ruling Congress and the opposition Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA) comprising MNF, Mizoram People's Conference and Maraland Democratic Alliance have fielded candidates in all the 40 seats.

Mizoram polls tomorrow, VVPAT machines introduced for first time

Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla (Congress) is contesting from two constituencies Serchhip, his home turf, and neighbouring Hrangturzo and opposition MNF leader and former Chief Minister Zoramthanga (MNF) is trying his luck from Tuipui East bordering Myanmar. Speaker R Romawia and Deputy Speaker Johalso are in the fray from Aizawl North -I and Mamit seats respectively.
The Congress which had won 32 seats in 2008 has fielded 31 of the sitting MLAs. Only Nirupam Chakma was replaced by B D Chakma, chief executive member of the Chakma Autonomous District Council. There are six women candidates -- three fielded by BJP, one each by Congress and MNF and one rebel MNF candidate.
There are 6,90,860 voters and 1,126 polling stations in the state, of which 94, mostly in border areas, have been identified as 'critical' where security has been beefed up. An additional 31 companies of central para-military forces and state police of neighbouring states have been deployed for the polls besides seven armed battalions of the state police to ensure free and fair election.
Security along the Manipur border from where militants from the neighbouring state might enter the state was tightened as along the unfenced 64 km border near the tri-junction of Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh in Mamit district. Not a single incident of violence was reported during electioneering in the state.
Of the 40 candidates fielded by the MNF, MDA which is a senior partner of the MDA, is contesting in 31 seats, the MPC and the MDF have fielded candidates in eight and one constituencies respectively. Other contesting parties are Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP, 38 seats), BJP (17), NCP (two) and Jai Maha Bharath Party (one).
There are four independent candidates. The portfolios and the names of ministers in the fray are Home Minister R Lalzirliana, Finance Minister H Liansailova, Tourism Minister S Hiato, Transport Minister P C Zoram Sangliana, Revenue Minister J H Rothuama, Education Minister Lalsawta, Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo, Sports Minister Zodintluanga, Environment and Forests Minister H Rohluna, Minister of State for A H and Veterinary Nihar Kanti Chakma and MoS for Social Welfare P C Lalthanliana.
MPC president Lalhmangaiha Sailo, son of former chief minister Brig T Sailo, is contesting from Aizawl East I and ZNP chief Lalduhawma is fighting from his home turf Aizawl West II and Kolasib on Mizoram-Assam border.

Countdown for the D Day as campaign ends in Mizoram

Aizawl : Finally the D Day has arrived in the north-eastern Indian state Mizoram for the polls with the campaigning drew to a close amid a hue and cry about armed gunmen being sighted in one of the sensitive constituencies, Chalfilh, which borders Manipur.

Though, the state has been known for its peaceful election campaigns for last several years due to the interference of Church. The voting takes place in the state on Monday for 40 seats which will be contested among 142 candidates. Total number of voters are 6.86 lakh including 3.49 lakh women.

With high profile campaigning including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, the ruling Congress made the New Land Use Policy its main poll agenda.

Congress has accused Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) for involving in activities with militant. ZNP, however, denied the allegation and held Congress responsible for this. ZNP leaders said that being in power Congress should have arrested the gunmen if there were any.

Meanwhile, the Mizroam Democratic Alliance (MDA) of the three Opposition parties —the Mizo National Front (MNF), the Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) and the Maraland Democratic Front (MDF) — has promised the voters a special economic development programme in the state if they are voted to power.

Besides this, Mizoram has set an example of violence free campaigning, with no incident being reported for the 25 November Assembly elections. “For the last several years, elections in Mizoram have always been more or less peaceful. This year during campaign not a single incident of violence has been reported. It has been very peaceful,” said state DGP Amulya Patnaik in Aizawl.

One of the main reasons behind the violence free poll campaign is the strict watch kept by the powerful Presbyterian Church controlled Mizoram People’s Forum (MPF). “We don’t support any kind of violence. We have the MPF platform at state level, district level and at local level, which keeps a strict watch on any kind of wrong doings and any attempt to instigate violence,” MPF president Rev Lalramlian Pachuau, said.

However, even three decades ago, the scenario in Mizoram, which had a history of insurgency since the early sixties, was not the same. Violence and bloodshed was a common sight during elections.

Mizoram started become a peaceful state after the signing of the peace accord late eighties, which brought an end to insurgency in the state, bordered by Bangladesh on one side and Myanmar on the other.

Mizoram polls: Chana sect voters free to vote anyone sans diktat

Aizawl: For long Mizoram political parties have tried to persuade members of the Chana’s sect led by Ziona to vote en bloc for them, but without success, in their village in the Tuikum assembly seat in Serchhip district.

C Lalrinthanga, a well-known figure of the sect said that Baktawng Tlangnuam village with a population of 3,000 is like any other Mizo village where all the political parties, excluding the BJP have units. Poll moment.

AFP Poll moment. AFP “There are political party units like the Congress, the Mizo National Front, the Mizoram People s Conference and the Zoram Nationalist Party and members of the sect can support any of the political parties,” Lalrinthanga said. He said that Ziona has never asked his followers to support a particular party or candidate in the elections.

“Everyone is free to choose his own party and support any candidate,” he said. Lalrinthanga said that there has never been any diktat from the leader of the Chanas, Ziona, known as the ‘Hotupa’. Party units in Baktawng Tlangnuam village have been canvassing for different political parties like any other in the rest of the state.

Lalrinthanga said that no candidate or political party has succeeded in persuading Ziona to make villagers vote en bloc for them and the voters of the village continued to exercise their franchise freely and without fear or particular favour.

There are two polling stations in the village and the total number of votes is 1,136 as per the last voters lists published on 16 August. The ruling Congress has pitted the sitting legislator K Lianzuala against Lalrinawma of the opposition Mizo National Front.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Mizoram polls: Lal Thanhawla in advantageous position in Serchhip

Aizawl: With Mizoram's Serchhip district reaping benefits of central and state socio-economic welfare schemes, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla seems to be in an advantageous position both in Serchhip and Hrangturzo seats from where he is fighting the November 25 elections.
Serchhip district, known as the 'heart of Mizoram' has Serchhip, Tuikum and Hrangturzo assembly seats. The district has around 44,688 voters, which includes 22,023 male voters and 22,665 female voters.
Lal Thanhawla has won from Serchhip, his home turf, for five times since 1984, losing only once in 1998 when the Mizo National Front candidate, a retired PWD engineer-in-chief K Thangzuala, defeated him by 696 votes.

Serchhip district, known as the 'heart of Mizoram' has Serchhip, Tuikum and Hrangturzo assembly seats.

The chief minister wrested his seat back in 2003 and retained it in 2008 defeating Lalramzauva, the Zoram Nationalist Party and MPC combine nominee by a margin of 952 votes, while the MNF candidate R Lalhnuna came third.
With the district, especially the Serchhip constituency getting preference for development projects and schemes, the socio-economic condition has changed enormously in the last few years.
Of 33 departments in the district, 16 are implementing centrally sponsored schemes.
Schemes such as the Indira Awaas Yojana to MNREGA to the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidhyuti Karan Yojna have changed the face of Sercchip, which was once known as backward.
"I had no means of constructing a house of my own. I received an assistance of Rs 48,500 under IAY in 2012-2013," says Pi Mardawhi, a 55-year-old widow.
A 20-feet suspension bridge over river Tuikum between Serchhip and Hriangtlang was constructed in 2011 under the MNREGA scheme.
The bridge is a lifeline for around 110 families of Hriangtlang village for collecting daily necessities and ration from Serchhip town across the river Tuikum, which floods every monsoon.
Apart from central schemes, the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) the brainchild of the Congress government in the state, also seems to be a game-changer in the district.
The programme provides a source of livelihood replacing unproductive and ecologically harmful jhumming and by preserving the forest and rich bio-diversity of the state.
"NLUP is more than just a populist programme. It has been fine-tuned to suit the people s needs toward self-dependence," says a state Congress leader.
Pi Nukungi, who rears pigs, after getting funds under the NLUP scheme has built a new sty and reconstructed and expanded the existing one earning about Rs 36,000 per month.
The opposition have alleged that it is Congress supporters who only benefit from the schemes, which has been denied by the Congress leadership.
This year in Serchhip, Lal Thanhwala will face C Lalramzauva of MNF, PB Lalsawmilana of ZNP and besides independents.
In the Harnturzo assembly segment, he will take on sitting MPC candidate, Lalthansanga, besides candidates from ZNP, Jai Maha Bharat Party and an independent.

Mizoram's diverse modes of transport for poll officials

Aizawl: From heavy vehicles to two wheelers, small boats and trekking on foot, all modes are being used to ferry over 4,000 polling officials over topographically diverse Mizoram, where Assembly elections will be held on November 25.

"For transport of polling officials we are using heavy motor vehicles, light motor vehicles, medium motor vehicles, two wheelers, dinghies (small boats)and in inaccessible places election officials have to walk on foot," the state's Chief Electoral Officer Ashwini Kumar said.

Over 1,800 vehicles, including 229 buses, 12 dinghies will be used as transport, while two-wheelers and trekking will be the norm at 27 places.

"There are places which are accessible only by river and you don't have bridges, so in those places dinghies will be used," Mr Kumar said.

The remotest parts of the state are the districts of Lawngtlai and Saiha, where boats will be used.

The state, spread over 21,000 sq km, is known as the land of valleys, lakes, rivers and rolling hills, with around 21 major hill ranges or peaks running across its length and breadth.

The Election Commission of India is also deploying 5,806 security personnel across eight districts of the state.

With over 10 lakh population, around 6.86 lakh enlisted voters will exercise their franchise for electing 40 members of the House from among 142 candidates.

The overall budget for the elections is Rs. 24.3 crore.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Rahul Gandhi to campaign in Mizoram

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will campaign in Mizoram Thursday, party sources said.

Sources said Rahul Gandhi will hold two public meetings -- Kahrawt Ground in district Champhai and Tumpui Field in district Kolasib.

Polls in the northeastern state are Nov 25, while counting is Dec 9.

Mizoram polls: VVPATs to be used on large-scale for the 1st time

Aizawl: With voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) being used on a large-scale for the first time in the country in the Mizoram Assembly polls, the Elections Commission is leaving no stone unturned to make it easily accessible to voters.’

The VVPAT is a machine attached to EVMS which allows voters to verify that their vote has been cast in the way they wished.

As soon as the voter casts his vote, the VVPAT will show a small slip in a glass covered screen with the symbol and the candidate he has voted for in a form of a small ballot paper, which after 3 to 4 seconds would automatically fall into an attached closed box.

The VVPATs are being used in only ten assembly constituencies of Aizwal district of the total 40 assembly segments.

The VVPAT system was first experimented in the Noksen Assembly bypoll recently in Nagaland and Mizoram would be the first state where it would be introduced on a large scale.

Chief Electoral officer, Ashwini Kumar, under whose supervisions the elections are being conducted, is leaving no stone unturned to make voters comfortable with the use of VVPATS.

"The VVPAT is a new thing which is being used for the first time. There are lot of people who are not aware of it. We have trained our polling officials in all these 10 assembly segments properly," Kumar said here.

Mizoram film industry pins hope on new government

Swamped by Korean films dubbed in Mizo language, the film industry in Mizoram hopes that whichever party comes to power after polls should allocate more funds for its development.

The chorus for more funds for Mizo films had gained momentum after a movie by independent film-maker Mapui Chungwatha, 'Khawnglung Run', was selected for screening in the Goa International Film Festival.

"If a film-maker wants to make a film he doesn’t get funds. Neither the government nor any department comes forward to help film-makers. So from where will good films come?" Mapui Chungwatha told PTI here.

The dubbed Korean films and serials are a mode of entertainment for thousands of Mizos, who hardly get to see a Mizo movie or a serial in the two main local cable channels.

The main reasons for the huge popularity of Korean films are their easy accessibility and similarity in facial features and some traditions in Korean soaps.

In last year’s budget, Rs 20 lakh was earmarked for the promotion of visual arts and film industry by the Mizoram government, which the film-makers feel is not enough.

"What can a person do with just Rs 10 lakh for film making? I used my own money of around Rs 10.6 lakh for making 'Khawnglung Run'. From that you can understand how insufficient the money granted by the government is," said Mapui.

With actors and part time actors working outside Mizoram due to lack of opportunity, the ailing film industry has been producing only one or two films on an average every year.

The fact that Mizoram does not have any cinema halls save one or two low capacity 3D halls that have come up in last few months, reflects the sorry state of the film industry in the state.

"Even if you make films using your own money where will you screen it as there are no cinema halls in Mizoram. So if you can’t screen a movie where from the producers will get their money back?" questioned Awmpuia, president, Mizoram Producers Guild.

"Whichever the party comes to power we hope that they will allocate more funds for the film industry and will seriously take up policies on development of theatres and other infrastructure for its development and growth," said Awmpui.

He noted that growth of the film industry in turn will create both direct and indirect employment for the youth of Mizoram.

Taking note of the growing influence of Korean films in the state, Information and Public Relations Department in coordination with Mizoram Film Development Society, have started providing basic training to aspiring film-makers by organising seminars and workshops.

"The main problem here is of marketing a film as it’s a small state. But we have plans to make Mizo films and then dub it in other regional languages, which in turn will not only increase revenue, but also help showcase our art, culture and talent," said Lousie Halwar, an official of Mizoram Film Society.

The ruling Congress in its manifesto has promised that if it comes to power again it will construct theatres for screening Mizo films.

"In Mizoram we have a small budget. So it’s not possible for us to allocate huge funds. But yes, if we come to power we will construct film theatres for screening Mizo films and develop the film industry as a whole," said Lalthanzara, parliamentary secretary to the chief minister.

Slamming the Congress regime for not doing much, the main opposition alliance MDA led by MNF said that if it comes to power it will implement youth commission programs throughout the state for the development of films, art and culture with the active participation of Mizo youths.

Election to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly will be held on November 25.

Mizoram's Gorkhas may go the NOTA way over OBC status fight

Gorkhas are said to be weighing up the NOTA option provided by the Election Commission in Mizoram's Assembly elections, slated for November 25.
The Gorkhas, who are one of the largest minorities in the state, are deprived of OBC status through what they say is the step-motherly attitude of the government and Mizos.

"The Gorkhas in Mizoram deserve OBC status. We have been fighting for it for a long time. We want OBC status for securing central government jobs. We are not interested in OBC status for state government jobs," said H.B. Thapa, Mizoram Gorkha Joint Action Committee chairman.

Gorkhas are now said to be weighing up the NOTA option provided by the Election Commission in the November 25 Assembly elections

"So this year, the Gorkhas in the state might use the NOTA option to register their grievances," he added.
There are around 25,000 Gorkhas in the state out of which 9771 are eligible voters. The Gorkhas are present in 23 of the 40 assembly segments in the state.
"All state governments since 1987 have denied us our rights. Now if our community decides to go for the NOTA option then it is only due to their apathy," said Mahesh Rai, a Gorkha leader.
The Election Commission has given the NOTA option - meaning 'none of the above' - for voters unhappy with the candidates, or those who do not want to vote for any political party.
The present Congress government formed a committee which gave a report accepting the demand of the Gorkhas for OBC status for central government jobs. But nothing has changed since then.
Gorkhas started settling in the late 1880s and had backward community status when Mizoram was a part of Assam.
But when Mizoram became a separate state in 1987, the backward status was taken away and Gorkhas were made a 'general category' group, denying them the special privileges that they used to enjoy while applying for jobs in either the Central or the state government.

Polling in Bru relief camps peaceful

Aizawl: Polling in the six Bru relief camps in North Tripura, for the coming election to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly on November 25, was completely peaceful on Tuesday where 23 percent of votes were polled at four PM, state Chief Electoral Officer Ashwani Kumar said.

Kumar told a news agency that the polls were held under strict supervision of a special observer and seven other observers and conducted by 86 polling officials including six nodal officers.

Three platoons of armed policemen were deployed to ensure peaceful polls and maintain law and order in the camps.

He said that the polling, conducted through postal ballots, would continue tomorrow and a high poll turnout was expected.

The 11,612-strong Bru electorate in the relief camps would be exercising franchise through postal ballots in the camps for the Mizoram polls.

The polling party, comprising 74 desk officials and seven nodal officers went to Tripura via Zomuantlang hamlet as the activists of the Mizo Students Union (MSU) organised a blockade at the Mizoram-Tripura border river Langkaih in Kanhmun village on Sunday.

The students objected to the conduct of polling in the camps by sending polling officials from Mizoram as they alleged that the Brus refused to return to the state despite several pleas from the centre, state government and the civil societies.

Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath, while visiting Mizoram recently said that Bru voters lodged in the Tripura camps were allowed to exercise franchise in the camps in accordance with the Delhi High Court order in 1999.

Monday, November 18, 2013

After 20 years, 1,000 Bru families will exercise their franchise from home soil

Dhananjay Reang will exercise his franchise on home soil after 20 years on November 25 when Mizoram goes to polls. Thousand others, lodged in six relief camps in Tripura, are not so lucky enough, at least for now.

Some 37,000 Brus of Mizoram had fled to Tripura in 1997 in the wake of ethnic riots. What sparked off the animosity was the killing of a Mizo forest guard allegedly by Bru militants. The Brus demand for an autonomous council had also not gone down well with the Mizos viewing it as separatism.
In 1998, Dhananjay had cast vote through postal ballot from a relief camp in Tripura. So did thousands other Bru refugees languishing there. Now he is in Mizoram along with 1,034 Bru families, repatriated by Mizoram government since 2010. Dhananjay and many other Brus had last cast vote from Mizoram in 1993.

“I am very excited about casting my vote on my home soil after such a long time,” Dhananjay told dna. “I pray that everything passes off peacefully,” Dhananjay, a native of Rengdil village in Mamit district, added.

Suryamani Reang, Dhananjay’s friend and a former Bru militant, is equally excited. “Let bygones be bygones. We all must vote for a peaceful future,” he said.

Mizoram has 11,301 Bru voters spread across nine assembly segments in Kolasib, Mamit and Lunglei districts. Those repatriated are now settled in 35 villages. The repatriation process began under a central government package that entailed Rs85,000 as compensation, Rs5,500 for transportation and free ration for a year per family. While a section of those still lodged in the relief camps are excited about their possible return to their native villages, another is not yet convinced about their safety. In 2008, ruling Congress had won all three Bru-dominated Hachhek, Mamit and Dampa seats. Meanwhile, the Mizo Students’ Union (MSU) has threatened to “go to any length” to prevent Bru refugees in Tripura from exercising franchise through postal ballots. It is peeved with a section of the refugees’ refusal to return to Mizoram. The MSU insists that the refugees come to Mizoram and cast their votes.

The students’ body has warned that it will resort to any means to prevent election officials from going to the refugee camps.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Polls just days away, but for candidates in Mizoram, Sunday is still a day of rest

Sunday is for God in Mizoram. Everything else can wait, even campaigning for once-in-five-years assembly elections.

Campaigning for the November 25 polls in Mizoram has entered a crucial phase. But for the people, nothing is more important than sticking to the Sunday routine of going to church. Every other public place too is in shutdown mode.

Almost 87% of Mizoram’s 1.09 million people are Christians. A majority of them are Presbyterians, followed by the Baptists, Catholics and other denominations.

So what do the 138 candidates seeking a berth in the 40-seat assembly do? Go to church, of course, to connect with the electorate spiritually if not to canvass subtly. Some like former chief minister Zoramthanga teaches the ‘Book of Psalms’ at Bible classes every Sunday during church services at Ramhlun, his home locality in Aizawl.

Zoramthanga is president of the Mizo National Front, which has formed the Mizoram Democratic Alliance with two other regional parties. “As true Christians, we cannot ignore our responsibilities toward God,” Zoramthanga said.

Lalduhawma, president of the regional Zoram Nationalist Party, has a similar Sunday assignment in his Cawlhhmun locality, though not regularly.

Mizoram Congress president and chief minister Lal Thanhawla is not a regular Sunday school teacher but he attends church in his Zarkawt neighbourhood whenever he is in town.

Mizos invariably avoid non-church activities on Sundays. This was evident from their protest when the Election Commission scheduled the date of counting of votes on December 8, a Sunday. The counting for Mizoram will now be held on December 9.

Mizoram polls: Political parties use social media to woo voters

Political parties in Mizoram have been using social media and mobile phones to woo voters, especially the youths, for the coming Assembly election to be held on November 25.

Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) chief Lalduhawma has an account on Facebook.

Rothuama Sailo, a close aide of Lalduhawma said a large number of Facebook users have taken to the medium to talk to the ZNP chief and ask him a plethora of questions on how he would govern the state if voted to power.

"We also send the party press releases to local mediapersons through Facebook," Sailo said, adding that the social networking site is so useful that they could issue press statements even while in remote villages. He said that Internet sms service 'way2sms' was also extensively used to send press releases to journalists'.

The ZNP has also used local cable television channels for campaigning as videotapes of the interview of the party chief were sent to different towns to be telecast, he said.

Youth leaders of the ruling Congress and the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) have been fighting the crucial political battle for at least three years, and the battleground was not public meeting but Internet.

Facebook groups like 'Zoram Thlirtu', 'Dingdi', 'Zoram Khawvel' and 'Special Report' have been used by young politicians to put forward their views and the views of their parties and the groups have become arenas for political debate.

One political party even organised training for young party workers on how to use social media to the maximum advantage of the party during the coming Assembly polls. Apart from Lalduhawma, sports minister Zodintluanga has also used Facebook as a medium of reaching out to the people.

The Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA), the alliance of the MNF, the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) and the Maraland Democratic Front (MDF) are using SMSes for canvassing.

Mizoram polls: Sonia Gandhi to address people in Lunglei today

Lunglei: Congress President Sonia Gandhi will head to Mizoram on Monday for election campaigning in the state. She will be addressing the crowd in Lunglei.

Mizoram goes to polls on November 25. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is also expected to visit the state later this week.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh campaigned for he party in Mizoram on Saturday. Addressing a rally in Aizawl, he said that the UPA government's policies and programmes for rapid and inclusive growth are showing good results and the country has seen a record average economic growth in the last nine years.
Mizoram polls: Sonia Gandhi to address people in Lunglei today
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is also expected to visit the state later this week.

"The UPA government's policies and programmes for rapid and inclusive growth are showing good results. We have seen a record average rate of economic growth in the last nine years, which is higher than what the country achieved in any other decade so far," Singh said.

7th Assembly election is a battle between Mizo nationalism and Indian nationalsim: MDA

Newmai News Network

Imphal, Nov 18 : "The forthcoming 7th Mizoram Assembly election will be a landmark in the history of Mizoram general election as it is the battle between the devotees of Mizo nationalism and the leaders who want the Indianisation of Mizo nation", said the joint statement of the Opposition alliance called Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA) formed by Mizo National Front (MNF), Mizoram People's Convention (MPC) and Mizoram Democratic Front (MDF) .

Emphasizing the need for propagation of Mizo nationalism as the only urgent need of the time to safeguard and protect the integrity of Mizoram and the continuity of Mizo as a nation, the MDA said it must win the upcoming Assembly election for the protection and survival of Zo nation (Zo Hnam) for today and tomorrow adding that the upcoming election will be historically an important and memorable event because it is the battle between Mizo nationalism and the leaders who cherish the Indianisation of Mizo nation and its culture.

"We are sure that we will win the election as it is seen practically from the pre-poll development when voting is just next to our door", MDA said.

"The MNF-MPC-MDF alliance comes upon as the realization of the survival of Zo nation is felt much among Churches, NGOs and employees in Mizoram.

As such, the triple alliance will become more successful than the MNF-MPC alliance of 1998 where it won 32 seats out the existing 40 seats in state assembly seats in the ensuing election, as the almighty God has also heard the woes and cry of the people of Mizoram", MNF leader retold from the statement.

MDA alleged Congress party and Zoram nationalist Party (ZNP) of simply blaming the MNF-MPC-MDF alliance as weak, fragile and not properly knitted.

He said that the Congress party and ZNP without being concentrated on their policy and manifesto, have only made an absurd criticism on MNF-MPC-MDF formation to distort the face of the alliance.

The more they attack the alliance, the larger they face the consequences, the MDA said.

MDA further alleged the Congress party and ZNP of making secret alliance between them by jointly castigating the unity of MDA although they do not exposed it outwardly.

However, inspite of bitter opposition and criticism from the two, MDA is cleared about the picture of alliance and it would achieve success in the upcoming election due to the unity felicitated by the formation of alliance, the MDA said.

MDA said the alliance is free from idolatry, spotting 'Tilak' and practice of offering money to financially poor people to tame them by taking the advantage of their poverty.

"As a result, God will lift up MDA to protect God's land His people", MDA added.

The joint statement read out during the press conference affirmed that MDA is trying its best to establish the government adaptable to Zo nations which would protect the religion, culture and tradition of Mizo as enshrined in the constitution of India.

Speaking about the future of ruling Congress government, MDA said the Congress party will face its Waterloo defeat as people declined its continuity because the Congress government is a corrupted one.

"People want to oust the Congress government because it is the government where law breakers are being commemorated.

It is also a government of drug smugglers", MNF leader said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the allegation, ZNP party said that they do not confederate with the Congress party for the upcoming Assembly polls, adding, the accusation made by leaders of MNF-MPC-MDF alliance that ZNP allies with the Congress is unfounded and is a false accusation.

"We also do not bother to comment on whether the alliance of pre-poll alliance of MNF and MPC is good or otherwise", ZNP said.

"We are to play the final match with the Congress party in the forthcoming assembly election" ZNP reiterated.

ZNP also said that the accusation has just been made by some timid MDA leaders and their trickery plan is to arouse party politics.

"Attacking others with false accusation comes out of a mind obsessed with party and the same is which the Church detested", the ZNP party added.

Mizoram assembly candidates' assets go through the roof

Though Mizoram's economy grew 10.37 percent in 2013 which is more than double the national figure of five percent, it is miniscule compared to the steep rise in leaders' assets over the past five years.

The average increase in assets of 66 of the 140 candidates, who were in the fray in 2008 and are re-contesting elections to the state assembly that would go to polls Nov 25, is 250 percent.

In real terms, the average assets of these 66 candidates fielded by different parties in 2008 was Rs.74,54,894 crore which has increased to Rs.2,61,26,335 crore, registering an average increase of Rs.1,86,71,441.

This is the picture that has emerged from the asset details released by the Mizoram Election Watch and Association of Democratic Reforms based on the declarations given by these candidates along with their nomination papers.

A total of 36 MLAs of the outgoing House who are re-contesting have recorded an increase of 217 percent. In 2008, they had average assets of Rs.82.81 lakh which has shot up to Rs.2.62 crore, an average increase of Rs.1.79 crore.

The assets of three MLAs including Congress' Lalthanhawla and John Rotluangliana and C. Ramhluna of the Mizo National Front have gone through the ceiling. Lalthanhawla recorded an increase of Rs.6.92 crore (from Rs.2.22 crore in 2008 to Rs.9.15 crore in 2013). Similarly, Rotluangliana declared an increase of Rs.5.40 crore (from Rs.1.03 crore in 2008 to Rs.6.44 crore in 2013).

Ramhluna has left all agape after registering an impressive asset increase of Rs.5.14 crore. His declared assets in 2008 were Rs.15.33 lakh which jumped to Rs.5.33 crore in 2013.

Meanwhile, as regards criminal credentials, only three of the 142 candidate in the race have declared cases against them. Of these, two have cases of serious offences against them.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Top singers call out youths of Mizoram to exercise their voting franchise in upcoming assembly election

Aizawl: Top singers of the state including Zoramchhani, Lalropuii Pachuau and R Lalhmangaihzuali have made an appeal to the people of Mizoram to exercise their voting right in the state assembly election.

Well-known gospel singer of the state and the winner of Youth Icon, Zoramchhani told an English daily: "It's not only an opportunity to make our voices hard but also our duty as citizens to exercise our right to choose for the sake of democracy.”

"Citizens have to think about how they can use their voice to not only take control of their destiny, but also to translate their desires and the desires of others into a better future for all," she said.

Lalropuii Pachuau said: "It might seem like a simple task - one just has to push a button to vote. But, we all must be aware that with each push of the button, the fate of our state's future takes shape.”

Polling in Mizoram would happen on November 25.