Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Mizoram witnesses peaceful poll

By Correspondent

AIZAWL, April 11 - Mizoram today recorded a fine weather to allow people in large numbers to turn up in the polling stations across the State to elect their lone representative to the Lok Sabha. According to latest reports the poll turnout is 62.9 per cent.

Speaking to reporters at 4 pm, Mizoram CEO Ashish Kundra said polling started at 7 am and it was in progress peacefully across the State.

�The voters� turnout at 3 pm was 55.71 per cent and it is likely to go up. It is difficult to predict the final figure. Voters who turn up at their polling stations by 5 pm will be allowed to cast their votes,� he said.

In the last Assembly elections in November last year, voting continued till 8 pm in some polling stations. If similar situations occur, it would be late by the time they have the final figure, Joint CEO H Lianzela said. Besides, there are fur-flung areas where connectivity is bad.

The CEO said that less than one per cent cases of replacement of VVPAT and control unit were reported in the State. In some fur-flung areas, the polling parties had to walk on foot due to damage of roads and bridges due to bad weather. However, all the polling parties managed to reach their respective polling booths in time.

The CEO also said there was peaceful polling at Kanhmun where special polling booths were set up for Bru refugees lodged in six relief camps in Tripura. As of 3 pm, poll turnout in the Bru special polling booths was 30 per cent.

The CEO expressed gratitude to the Church-sponsored Mizoram People�s Forum that as usual extended a helping hand in ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections in the State.

There are six candidates in the contest. Mizo National Front (MNF) has fielded C Lalrosanga. Sports journalist Lalnghinglova Hmar is contesting as an Independent candidate backed by Zoram People�s Movement and Congress. BJP has fielded Nirupam Chakma.

TBC Lalvenchhunga of the newly-floated People�s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) is also in the fray, besides two independent candidates.

Next Story