Mizoram Elections 2023: Everything you need to know about key candidates, top seats and key issues
Mizoram Assembly Election 2023: Mizo National Front (MNF) President and Chief Minister Zoramthanga is one of the most prominent figures in these elections.
Mizoram elections 2023: Polling for 40 parliamentary seats in the Mizoram assembly elections began at 7 am amid tight security. More than 8.52 lakh voters will decide the fate of 174 candidates in Mizoram on Tuesday. According to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, 8,52,088 voters in Mizoram, including 4,13,064 male and 4,39,028 female voters, will exercise their franchise at 1,276 polling stations.
Mizoram has 50,611 voters in the age group of 18 to 19 years who will vote for the first time. There are 8,490 senior citizens above the age of 80 in the state.
Make extensive security arrangements
To conduct free and fair elections in the state, around 50 CAPF companies have been deployed in the state. The ECI has identified 30 polling stations in the state as critical polling stations.
List of prominent candidates
Mizo National Front (MNF) chairman and chief minister Zoramthanga is one of the most prominent figures in these elections. After earlier winning Aizawl East – I in the 2018 Assembly elections, Zoramthanga is once again contesting from the same constituency.
Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) vice-president Lalthansanga is a strong contender against the three-time prime minister. The Congress has nominated Lalsanglura Ralte, a first-time candidate, to contest against the Chief Minister.
ZPM chief Lalduhoma, who is also the party’s chief ministerial candidate, will contest from Serchhip, where he is the current MLA.
Another leading candidate in the Mizoram polls is state Congress chief Lalsawta, who will contest from Aizawl West-III. Lalsawta is pitted against ZPM candidate VL Zaithanzama and MNF candidate K Sawmvela.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, which opened its account in the 2018 state assembly polls by bagging one seat, has a leading candidate in Vanlalhmuaka, the party’s state president, who will contest the election from Dampa constituency .
Mizoram Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia, who is also MNF vice-president, will contest from Tuichang. At 80, Tawnluia is the oldest candidate in the fray. The deputy CM was also the senior-most candidate in the 2018 Assembly elections when he contested from the same seat. Tawnluia is challenged by ZPM’s W Chhuanawma.
Major problems in Mizoram
Neglect of infrastructure, corruption and unemployment are some of the major problems in the state. The main battle in the state, with almost all its seats reserved for STs, is between the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the Congress and the Zoram People’s Movement, with the BJP keen to emerge as the kingmaker.
Ethnic clashes in neighboring Manipur have cast a shadow over the polls and the ruling MNF, led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, is hopeful that the people will support the party’s stand to provide shelter to some members of the Kuki-Zo- community who came from neighboring Manipur. stands.