ELECTION UPDATE: Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla wins Serchhip seat. He is also leading from Hrangturzo seat. Thanhawla secured 5719 votes while his closest competitor C Lalramzauva of the Mizoram National Front secured 4985 votes. The main poll battle is between the ruling Congress and opposition coalition Mizoram Democratic Alliance, comprising the Mizo National Front, Mizoram People's Conference and Maraland Democratic Front, all regional parties.
A state with one of the highest participation in the democratic process of the country, Mizoram has often had to bear the brunt of country's apathetic negligence. The remote northeastern state registered a phenomenal voter turnout of 81 percent. The residents of the state are considered as one of the most upbeat participants in the Indian democracy.
Despite a good performance, the state like other times has been vehemently ignored and sidelined. Exit polls results chose to ignore this 'small' and 'inconsequential' state and kept their focus firmly on the big-wigs.
The state went to poll on November 25 for its 40-member assembly. The fate of 142 candidate candidates was sealed in EVMs by over 6,90,000 voters, amounting to 80 percent participation.
People turned out to vote in large numbers, despite the threats issued by several insurgent groups.
The ruling Congress fielded candidates in all the 40 seats and the Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA), the alliance of Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), the Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) and the Maraland Democratic Alliance (MDF) also contested in 40 seats.
The MNF, senior partner of the alliance contested 31 seats in the assembly elections, while the MPC and the MDF fielded candidates in eight and one constituency respectively.
The Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) contested in 38 seats, the BJP in 17, the NCP in two seats, Jai Maha Bharath Party in one while there were four Independents. All the seats were reserved for ST nominees, except Lunglei South which was for general candidates.
Thanhawla cast his vote with his wife Lal Riliani at Zarkawt-II polling station at Babutlang area in Zarkawt locality. The chief minister contested from two constituencies Serchhip, his home turf, and neighbouring Hrangturzo.
This is not the first instance that the state has registered a voter turnout of voter 80 percent. In 2008, the voter turnout crossed 82 percent.
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