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Aizawl, Nov 11 (IANS) More than 82.34 per cent of the 20,790 voters exercised their franchise in the by-election for Mizoram’s Dampa assembly constituency on Tuesday.
No untoward incident was reported during polling that began at 7 am at 40 out of 41 polling stations in Dampa Assembly constituency of Mamit district, an election official said. Voting could take place at Zopui polling station as the road leading to it was blocked due to a landslide.
Voting continued without any interruption till 4 pm in the assembly constituency with mixed population.
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.
Three polling stations in the assembly constituency were identified as critical, due to which security forces were deployed in large numbers.
Overall, 20,790 voters, including 10,185 women, were eligible to cast their votes to decide the electoral fate of five candidates for the seat, which 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 ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has fielded Mizo singer and preacher Vanlalsailova, while the 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.
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.
The Dampa assembly bypoll is considered an acid test for Chief Minister Lalduhoma-led ruling ZPM as its results are likely to influence the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) elections to be held on December 3 and the Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections later this year. A victory in the by-elections will boost ZPM’s morale amid growing criticism from opposition parties, especially the main opposition MNF.
This by-election is very important for the MNF, because with its defeat, its strength in the 40-member assembly will reduce to nine and its claim to the post of Leader of the Opposition will be in jeopardy.
Any party needs at least 10 MLAs to hold the Leader of Opposition post, and the MNF currently has nine MLAs following the death of Lalrintluanga Selo on July 21.
With two MLAs in the House, the BJP, which is attempting to expand its base in the Christian-majority border state, is contesting the seat with a mixed population to strengthen its hold.
–IANS
SC/VD