LADC election results: Hung house in Mizoram as no party wins majority

Aizawl: Elections to the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) in Mizoram resulted in a hung house on Tuesday, as no party managed to secure the magic number of 13 seats, an official said.

According to the results announced by the State Election Commission, the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) emerged as the single largest party, winning 8 of the 25 seats in the LADC, where polling was held on December 3.

The MNF had contested 20 out of the 25 seats.

A party needs 13 seats to attain an absolute majority in the 25-member council.

The Congress, which fielded 14 candidates, secured 7 seats, while the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) won 6 out of the 25 seats it contested.

The BJP, which put up 10 candidates, bagged 2 seats, and 2 independent candidates — including former CEM V. Zirsanga — were also elected.

The sitting Chief Executive Member (CEM) N. Zangura of the BJP lost to MNF nominee Premo Kanti by just 8 votes, while council chairman V. L. Hmuaka of the MNF was defeated by Congress candidate C. Ngunlianchunga by a margin of 348 votes.

Ngunlianchunga is the sitting Congress legislator from the Lawngtlai West constituency.

Earlier, the MNF and Congress had signed an agreement to support each other during the elections and later in forming the executive body.

Nearly 84 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the LADC polls held on December 3.
A total of 80 candidates, including 11 independents, contested the elections.

The LADC is one of three Autonomous District Councils in Mizoram. It was created in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule for the Lai tribal community.

The council comprises 25 elected members and 4 nominated members.