Vote Counting Begins in Mizoram Bypolls Under Tight Security
EC Supervisors Oversee Counting as High-Stake Mizoram Seat Sees Five Rounds of Tallying
Mizoram, Nov 14 : Counting of votes for the Dampa Assembly bypoll, held on November 11, began at 8 a.m. on Friday under tight security, officials confirmed.
Mamit District Election Officer Lalnunfela Chawngthu said counting began with postal ballots, followed by EVM votes, across five rounds at the Mamit district headquarters.
A single counting hall has been set up with nine counting tables, including one dedicated to postal ballots. Each table is being supervised by a counting supervisor and two assistants. Election Commission-appointed observers are monitoring the entire process.
The bypoll recorded an impressive 83.07% voter turnout, with 20,790 eligible voters including 10,185 women casting their ballots. The election was necessitated by the death of MNF legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21.
Key Candidates in the Fray
Five candidates contested the high-stakes bypoll:
Vanlalsailova (ZPM) – singer and preacher
R. Lalthangliana (MNF) – party vice president, former Health Minister
John Rotluangliana (Congress) – state vice president, former Transport Minister
Lalhmingthanga (BJP)
K. Zahmingthanga (People’s Conference)
The constituency, which borders Bangladesh and Tripura, has a significant minority population, including Chakma and Reang communities.
High Political Stakes for ZPM and MNF
The bypoll is widely viewed as an acid test for the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) ahead of the LADC polls on December 3 and the Aizawl Municipal Corporation elections later this year.
For the MNF, the result is critical:
A defeat would leave it with nine MLAs in the 40-member House—one short of the minimum 10 required to retain the Leader of Opposition post.
The BJP, which holds two seats in the Assembly, is looking to expand its influence in the Christian-majority state by attempting to secure this crucial border constituency.
