Northeast Desk, 6th April: In a crucial press briefing held at his office chamber MINECO, Aizawl, Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Madhup Vyas provided insights into the state’s electoral preparedness. Emphasizing the significance of the electoral roll as the cornerstone of democratic elections, CEO Vyas underscored the right of every Indian citizen attaining 18 years to enroll as a voter.
According to CEO Vyas, Mizoram’s population stands at approximately 10.97 lakhs, with a projected figure nearing 14 lakhs. The electoral roll, published on February 6, 2024, boasts a voter count of 8.56 lakhs, reflecting a commendable electoral population ratio of 60.64%. Notably, for every thousand male voters, Mizoram registers 1064 female voters, indicating a robust participation of women in the enrollment process.
Highlighting inclusivity, Mizoram accommodates around 4980 service voters and 3243 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) voters. Home voting provisions extend to senior citizens above 85 years and PwD individuals with a benchmark of 40%. Currently, 270 PwD voters and 1824 senior citizens have opted for home voting.
District-wise, Aizawl leads with 12 assembly constituencies, followed by Lunglei with 6, six districts housing 3 ACs each, one district with 1 AC, and two districts hosting 1 AC each.
Efforts to cleanse the electoral roll include rectifying demographic and photographic duplications and eliminating individuals with multiple EPICs. The state boasts 1276 polling stations across 1166 locations, with special provisions like all-female manned stations, PwD-exclusive stations, and those managed by youth personnel.
Assuring minimum facilities at all polling stations, Vyas acknowledged the shortfall of electricity in some areas, with temporary connections arranged three days before polling. Mizoram stands equipped with sufficient EVMs and VVPATs, backed by 6400 trained polling personnel and 58 micro-observers.
Addressing law and order concerns, over 280 individuals have been bound down under IPC and CrPC sections, with firearm deposition drives underway. Notably, 19 critical polling stations warrant heightened security measures, complemented by inter-border and DG-level meetings to fortify security, especially along the international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar.
CEO Vyas’s comprehensive briefing reflects Mizoram’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and secure elections, fostering democratic values and participation across the state.
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