Mizoram Election 2023: Officials conclude voting; state records 75.68% voter turnout till 5 pm

Polling concluded in Mizoram after residents stood together to cast their votes in a bid to choose their representatives for the 40 assembly seats. According to Election Commission of India, 75.68% voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm.

This election is set to be a closely watched contest among key political players, including the Mizo National Front (MNF), the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), and the Congress.

The contenders: MNF, ZPM, and Congress:

At the forefront of the political arena, the ruling Mizo National Front, led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, is in the fray. The MNF is a part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and maintains an alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre. Alongside the MNF, the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) and the Congress are set to challenge for the state's leadership.

Key seats to watch out for: 

• Aizawl East-I: The current chief minister, Zoramthanga, is running for reelection in Aizawl East-I, one of the most watched seats. In the 2018 Assembly elections, Zoramthanga won this seat; however, Vice-President Lalthansanga of the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) will now oppose him.
• Serchhip: Lalduhoma, the ZPM leader and chief ministerial candidate, presently occupies the seat and is the representative for Serchhip. He is running against R. Vanlaltluanga, a candidate for Congress, and J. Malsawmzual Vanchhawng, a newbie to the MNF. In 2018, Lalduhoma deposed five-time chief minister Lal Thanhawla from this position.
• Aizawl West-III: Aizawl West-III is anticipated to see a three-way contest between the Congress, ZPM, and MNF. The current Congress President Lalsawta, a former finance minister, and MNF nominee K. Sawmvela will oppose incumbent ZPM legislator V.L. Zaithanzama.
• Hachhek: The state sports minister Robert Romawia Royte and incumbent Congress politician Lalrindika Ralte are expected to engage in a fierce electoral campaign in Hachhek, which is situated in Mizoram's Mamit district close to the Tripura border

Voters and polling stations:

The Chief Electoral Officer's office in Mizoram has reported that 8,52,088 voters, comprising 4,13,064 male and 4,39,028 female voters, will cast their votes in 1276 polling stations today. Among these, 50,611 electors fall in the 18-19 age group and are poised to vote for the first time, while there are 8,490 senior citizens aged above 80 years.

Critical polling stations identified:

Recognizing the significance of a smooth and secure electoral process, the Election Commission has earmarked 30 polling stations across the state as critical polling stations.

Counting and previous assembly election results:

After the voting process concludes, the counting of votes will take place on December 3. In the previous Mizoram assembly elections in 2018, the Mizo National Front secured victory by winning 26 out of the 40 seats, with a vote share of 37.8%. The Congress claimed five seats, and the BJP managed to secure a single seat in the state assembly.