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