Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Aizawl, Nov 10 (IANS) Election officials are all set to conduct by-elections in Mizoram’s Dampa assembly constituency on Tuesday, officials said on Monday as polling officials along with security personnel have reached all 41 polling stations in Mamit district.
The hectic campaign that has been going on for more than a month by all political parties for the November 11 by-election in Dampa assembly constituency ended without any untoward incident on Sunday, an election official said.
Apart from state leaders from various parties, BJP leader and Union ministers Kiren Rijiju (Parliamentary and Minority Affairs) and Jitendra Singh (Science and Technology and Earth Sciences) also visited Mizoram to campaign for their respective party candidates.
Before the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the election schedule on October 6, both the ruling and opposition parties had announced their candidates and launched their campaigns in the politically important constituency.
The assembly constituency, which shares an unfenced border with Bangladesh, 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 official said that voting will begin at 7 am on Tuesday and will continue uninterrupted till 4 pm.
Dampa assembly seat in Mizoram’s Mamit district fell vacant after the death of opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) MLA Lalrintluanga Selo on July 21.
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 Dampa (Scheduled Tribe Reserved) assembly constituency 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).
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/red