Mizoram's Dampa bypoll: Counting on Nov 14, five rounds planned amid tight security
Counting will occur in one hall with nine tables, each supervised by a supervisor and two assistants
Polling personnel from multiple stations reach the Receiving Centre in Mamit safely, on Tuesday. (Photo:@ceomizoram/X)
Aizawl, Nov 13: The counting of votes for the Dampa bypoll will begin at 8 am on November 14 under tight security arrangements, said Mamit Election Officer, on Thursday.
Election Officer Lalnunfela Chawngthu said postal ballots will be counted first, followed by votes cast in EVMs and there will be five rounds of counting.
The counting will take place at the Mamit deputy commissioner complex under tight security.
"All necessary arrangements have been made, and we are fully prepared to undertake the counting of votes. Adequate security arrangements have also been made by the Mamit Superintendent of Police," Chawngthu said.
There is only one counting hall and nine counting tables, including one for postal ballots and each counting table will be supervised and monitored by a counting supervisor and two counting assistants, he said.
Chawngthu said that the counting centre will also be monitored by central observers appointed by the Election Commission.
According to the official, all EVMs were brought to the counting centre on Wednesday, and they were securely placed in a strong room under strict surveillance.
The bypoll was necessitated following the death of incumbent MNF legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo in July.
Earlier on November 11, polling for the Dampa assembly seat was held peacefully with 83.07% of the 20,888 eligible voters exercising their franchise in the bypoll.
It’s a five-way fight between the ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), Congress, BJP and People's Conference (PC) party.
For the ZPM, the result is likely to influence the upcoming Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) elections on December 3 and the Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) poll, which is likely to be held early next year.
For the MNF, the bypoll holds special significance, as a defeat would further reduce its strength in the 40-member assembly and jeopardise its claim to the post of leader of opposition.
A party requires at least 10 MLAs for the position, and the MNF currently has nine following Sailo's death.
The BJP, which is striving to expand its base in the Christian-majority state, sees the contest as an opportunity to strengthen its foothold. The party currently has two legislators in the assembly.
PTI