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Aizawl, Nov 11 (IANS) More than 56.35 percent voting took place till 1 pm in the by-election held on Tuesday for Mizoram’s Dampa assembly constituency. The officers provided this information. An election official said no untoward incident has been reported so far after polling began at 7 am at 41 polling stations in Mamit’s Dampa assembly constituency. Voting in the mixed population assembly constituency of Mamit district will continue without any interruption till 4 pm. In the Dampa assembly constituency (reserved for tribals) by-election, webcasting was conducted in 40 out of the total 41 polling stations, the official said. Webcasting could not be done at Zopui polling station due to poor network connectivity. Three polling stations in the assembly constituency have been identified as sensitive, due to which security forces have been deployed in large numbers. Overall, 20,790 voters, including 10,185 women, are eligible to cast their votes to decide the electoral fate of the five candidates. Dampa assembly seat fell vacant after the death of opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) MLA Lalrintluanga Selo on July 21. The assembly constituency, which shares an unfenced border with Bangladesh and an inter-state border with Tripura, has a sizeable minority population, including members of the Chakma and Reang tribal communities. Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel have been deployed at polling stations and surrounding border areas to maintain law and order. The bypoll will see a five-cornered contest as the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has fielded Mizo singer and preacher Vanlalsailova, while the opposition MNF has fielded its vice president and former health minister R. Lalthangliana has been named. The Congress has fielded its state vice president and former transport minister John Rotluangliana, while the BJP has fielded Lalmingthanga. People’s Conference, the party of former Chief Minister Brigadier T. Selo, appointed its Vice President K. Zhammingthanga has been fielded. The Mizoram Election Department said in a statement that, in accordance with the guidelines and instructions issued by the Election Commission regarding the conduct of elections, all presiding officers, polling personnel, sector officers and security personnel involved in the by-election have been directed to remain alert and ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner. They have also been directed to take immediate and appropriate action in case of any violation of election rules or crime on the polling day and malpractice during the voting process, the statement said. Adequate security measures have been put in place for the by-election under the supervision of State Police Nodal Officer H. Ramathlengliana, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters and Law and Order). Counting of votes will take place on November 14. –IANS sc/dpb