42 VVPATs, 25 ballot units replaced in Mizoram
Forty-two VVPATs, 25 ballot units and 19 control units were replaced, following malfunctions at various polling stations across Mizoram, Chief Electoral Officer Ashish Kundra said.
49% voter turnout until 1 pm: EC
The Election Commission said that the polling percentage in Mizoram until 1 pm was 49 percent.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla cast his vote at Zarkawt. He is hopeful to win simple majority by bagging more than 27 seats.
BJP Mahila Morcha Vice President unsure of victory due to ‘Hindutva’ tag
Vice President of BJP’s Mahila Morcha in Mizoram, Vijay Lakshmi Rai, said that BJP might loose this time due to the Hindutva tag, despite the party contesting elections in 39 seats. “BJP’s campaign was better this year but due to this ‘Hinduva’ tag on the party, we are going to lose in many seats. BJP has never won a seat here, so winning even 2-3 seats is good for us. I hope my party forms government with the help of other like-minded parties after the result,” Rai said.
Highest number of woman candidates: Number of female candidates has never exceeded eight in Mizoram’s history
* Five female candidates are contesting elections independently.
* BJP which is contesting in 39 out of 40 seats in the state, has fielded six female candidates.
* Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have fielded one woman, each.
* Mizo National Front (MNF), a significant regional party in Mizoram, has no women representation in this election.
* Another regional party, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has named two woman candidates.
29% polling till 11 am
The state is witnessing a fine voter turnout with 29% votes recorded till 11 AM, however, due to some faulty VVPATs voting has been delayed in some booths.
For the first time in Mizoram, to motivate the women voters, pink polling booth have been set up with female officials managing the stations.
15 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 9 am in Mizoram.
Mizoram, the northeast fort of Congress, is voting today for electing a new government. The state is underway the voting process with 209 candidates in the fray for the 40-member legislative assembly. Voting began at 7 am and will end at 4 pm.
Over 7.7 lakh voters are expected to cast their votes in the state.
There is a major contest between Congress and Mizo National Front (MNF), however, this time BJP has decided to go alone in the polls.
