Northeast Desk, 7th November: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7 urged the residents of Mizoram, especially the youth and first-time voters, to participate in the electoral process as the state went to polls.
In a social media post, he said, “I call upon the people of Mizoram to vote in record numbers. I particularly urge the young and first time voters to exercise their franchise and strengthen the festival of democracy.” On the same day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also encouraged the youth to vote in large numbers. In a post, he stated, “I urge our sisters and brothers in Mizoram, especially the youth, to come out and vote in large numbers. Each and every vote will lay the foundation of a developed and prosperous Mizoram.”
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga encountered a minor issue with an electronic voting machine, which delayed his vote during the early hours of the Mizoram assembly elections. He explained that the machine was not working, and after waiting for some time, he decided to visit his constituency and vote after the morning meet.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence in the forthcoming Mizoram assembly elections, stating that the assembly would not be hung and that his party, the MNF, would form the government. The Mizoram Assembly elections began on Tuesday, with vote counting scheduled for December 3. The voting window is open from 7 am to 3 pm.
A total of 174 candidates are competing in the elections. Mizoram has 8,51,895 registered voters, including 4,12,969 males, 4,38,925 females, and 1 third-gender individual. The state also has 4,973 service voters and 50,611 first-time voters aged between 18 and 19. Mizoram boasts a high voter sex ratio of 1,063 and an electoral population (EP) ratio of 63.27. There are 1,276 polling stations across the state, with 525 in urban areas and 751 in rural areas. According to records, 2,058 votes have been cast via home voting, and 7,497 votes have been cast through postal ballots at the designated facilitation centers.
Read More: Mizoram Holds Votes Today with 16 Female Candidates Among the 174 Candidate