AIZAWL: In anticipation of the Mizoram assembly elections scheduled for November 7, extensive security measures and preparations are in motion, ensuring a smooth and secure electoral process. Mizoram's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Madhup Vyas, revealed that over 3,000 policemen and 450 sections of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be stationed to oversee the elections.
The Election Commission has devised a comprehensive security plan, prioritizing the conduct of a free, fair, and peaceful election. Vyas stated that 10 companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) and 5 companies each of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have already arrived in Mizoram and are deployed strategically.
Additionally, arrangements have been made for a standby chopper in Aizawl on polling day to ensure swift response and mobility if necessary. Since the election schedule was announced, authorities have confiscated cash, drugs, liquor, and other contraband with a total value of Rs 36.32 crore.
The elections for Mizoram's 40-member assembly will occur in a single phase on November 7, and the vote count will take place on December 3. The CEO's office has received requests from various political parties and organizations seeking a change in the counting date, with these letters forwarded to the Election Commission, which has yet to respond.
Preparations for the polls are in full swing. The first training for polling parties has been completed, and the second round is underway. Allocation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) to assembly constituencies and polling stations has been conducted through randomization.
The commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs will begin soon, with 48 engineers from the Electronic Corporation of India (ECIL) to assist. All districts have collected their ballot papers, and e-postal ballots have been generated and transmitted to service voters.
For the convenience of senior citizens (80+) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD), home voting facilities will be provided, totaling 2,092 individuals. State and district-level Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) teams are actively engaging in various activities to promote awareness and participation.
Out of the 1,276 polling stations, around 30 have been identified as critical and vulnerable, where webcasting will be installed in 765 polling stations. In total, 174 candidates are contesting, with the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), main opposition party Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), and Congress fielding 40 seats each. The BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have entered 23 and 4 seats, respectively, while 27 candidates are running as independents.
Certain constituencies, such as Aizawl North-III, Aizawl South-I, Serchhip, and Lunglei West, have a high number of candidates and will witness a six-cornered contest, whereas Tawi, Champhai South, East Tuipui, and South Tuipui constituencies have the fewest candidates and will see a three-cornered contest.
More than 8.57 lakh electorates, including 4,39,026 female voters, are eligible to cast their votes in the forthcoming assembly polls, reflecting the significance of these elections for the state of Mizoram.
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