Mizoram, which held its single-phase polls on November 7, experienced a one-day delay in vote counting. The state witnessed an impressive 80.66% voter turnout during the polling.
The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) enjoyed significant support in the state, the four-cornered contest also saw the BJP trying to make inroads in the state. The presence of the Congress has faded over the years but some of the exit polls have given an edge to the grand-old party.
The MNF, ZPM and Congress contested 40 seats each, while the BJP fielded candidates in 23 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which contested the assembly polls here for the first time, fought in four seats. Also, there were 17 Independent candidates.
However, people of Mizoram rested their faith in the youngest political party in the northeastern state and voted Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) to power.
A total of 174 candidates contested in the Mizoram Assembly election. Of the 174, ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and Congress had contested all 40 seats each while BJP contested on 23 constituencies.
Nearly 4000 personnel were involved in the counting of votes of Mizoram assembly polls on December 3, said Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer Madhup Vyas. The counting of votes were held at 13 counting centres across the state.
Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) said it will stake claim to form the government in Mizoram after holding a consultative meeting of newly elected MLAs and senior party leaders.
ZPM working president K Sapdanga said the meeting will be held on Tuesday and party leader Lalduhoma, who was in Serchhip, was travelling to Aizawl on Monday to meet the newly elected MLAs.
ZPM, the opposition party, swept the polls, winning 27 of the 40 seats, while the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, bagged 10 seats and was leading in one. Would-be Chief Minister of Mizoram, ZPM leader Lalduhoma, shared an update with Hindustan times on the swearing-in ceremony of the news government.
“We are likely to stake claim to form the government on Wednesday and the swearing-in can be expected either on Thursday or Friday” the ZPM leader said.
While some news media houses had predicted a clean sweep by the ZPM, majority had predicted a hung assembly, thereby failing to predict the outcome that the Mizoram Assembly election Results have shown on 4 December.
In the last assembly elections, held in 2018, the MNF had won 26 seats and the ZPM secured eight seats. The MNF won in Hachhek, Mamik, Tuirial, Serlui, Tuivawl, East Tuipui, West Tuipui, Thorang and Tuichawng seats and was leading in one.
More about Mizoram & ZPM’s man of the match, Lalduhoma
Lalduhoma, 74, who is set to become the next chief minister, told Hindustan Times about the priorities of his government. They are :
-Procure ginger, turmeric, chili, and broomsticks at a minimum pre-determined price to support farmers.
-Constitute an expert committee and put fiscal reforms in place.
-Adopt a policy of zero tolerance for corruption.
-Grant permission to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) to act on corruption.
Lalduhoma’s entry in politics is a very interesting story. He was an Indian Police Servant (IPS) officer in Goa. Later on he was told to guard Sonia Gandhi in the national capital. After his retirement, he founded Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and entered into politics. Ironically, he clean swept Congress in Mizoram and achieved behemoth triumph.
Mizoram entered into the election along with Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana; why was the north eastern state’s counting and result delayed?
The Election Commission had initially announced that Mizoram results would be out on December 3, but the date was postponed by a day.
The decision to revise the counting date comes amid protests in the state organised by Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC). The group earlier expressed displeasure over December 3 as the counting date falls on Sunday, a sacred day for Christians.