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Aizawl, Nov 9 (IANS) The hectic campaign that lasted for more than a month for the by-election in Mizoram’s Dampa assembly constituency on November 11 ended on Sunday.
On the last day of campaigning, all political parties including the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) held massive rallies and conducted door-to-door campaigns to influence voters in the state.
Apart from state leaders from various parties, BJP leaders and Union ministers Kiren Rijiju (Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs) and Jitendra Singh (Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences) also visited Mizoram and campaigned for their party’s candidate.
Ahead of the election schedule being announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on October 6, both the ruling and opposition parties had announced their candidates and launched their campaigns in the politically important constituency.
A total of five candidates are in the fray in the Dampa by-election.
The ruling ZPM has fielded Mizo singer and preacher Vanlalsailova, while the opposition MNF has fielded its party 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.
Election officials said on Sunday that several polling teams have left for six polling stations – Zopui, Silsuri-I, Silsuri-II, Silsuri-III, Hanhwa and Lianbuang.
There are a total of 41 polling stations in Dampa assembly constituency and by Monday morning, polling teams for the remaining 35 polling stations will leave for election duty.
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 Dampa (Scheduled Tribe) assembly constituency by-election have been directed to remain alert and ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner, the Mizoram Election Department said in a statement.
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 taken for the by-election under the supervision of State Police Nodal Officer H. Ramathlengliana, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters and Law and Order).
Dampa assembly seat in Mizoram’s Mamit district fell vacant after the death of opposition MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Selo on July 21.
The assembly constituency, bordering Bangladesh, has a sizeable minority population, including the Chakma and Reang tribal communities.
According to the final voter list published on September 30, a total of 20,790 voters, including 10,185 women, are eligible to cast their votes.
Counting of votes will take place on November 14.
–IANS
SC/KHz