AIZAWL: Polling was peaceful and smooth in all the 29 polling stations of under the Serchhip Assembly seat in Mizoram. Polling for the by-election started at 7 am on Saturday. Voting ended at 7 pm, said an official. Earlier it was scheduled to be held between 7 am and 6 pm. Some political parties had recently appealed to the Election Commission to extend the duration of the polling period after their request of rescheduling the dates of polling and counting, on account of religious obligation, was rejected by the poll panel. Votes will be counted on May 2 (Sunday).
Altogether 19,520 voters, including 10,329 women, are eligible to decide the fate of six candidates, including those of the ruling MNF (Mizo National Front), ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) and the Congress.
The polling initially got off to a slow start but picked up around 11 am. An estimated 77 per cent of over 19,000 voters exercised their franchise till 5 pm on Saturday for by-election, added the official.
The by-election has been necessitated after the disqualification of incumbent MLA Lalduhoma, in November 2020 under the anti-defection law. Lalduhoma is now contesting on a ZPM ticket.
Six candidates are in the fray for the by-election. The MNF has fielded its vice president and former Lok Sabha member Vanlalzawma, while the Congress has nominated former student leader and party general secretary P C Laltlansanga. In 2018, this constituency was won by the Independent.
In 2018 Mizoram Assembly elections, the total percentage of voters in Serchhip Assembly Constituency was recorded as 35.26 per cent. In 2018, Lalduhoma of Independent won the seat by defeating Lal Thanhawla from Indian National Congress with a margin of 0 votes. (Agencies)