Amid tightened security arrangement, the voting for Mizoram Assembly elections has begun for all 40 constituencies and is currently underway. The voting which began at 7 am will culminate at 4 pm.
A total of 209 candidates are in the fray in Mizoram. The Congress has fielded 40 candidates while the BJP and MNF are contesting in 39 and 40 constituencies respectively. Around 7.7 lakh voters will vote today.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is contesting from two seats – Serchhip and Champhai South. The Congress has been in power since Mizoram became a full-fledged state in 1987, except for 10 years between 1998 to 2008.
Counting of votes will be held on December 11.
It is to be noted that the fight is largely between the Congress and the Mizo National Front though the BJP is also seeking to make its presence felt. The BJP has made deep inroads in the northeast since the Modi government came to power at the Centre in 2014 and its performance in the Christian majority state will be keenly watched.
In the battle for supremacy in the election to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress is seeking a hat-trick. He claimed that there is no incumbency against his government.