Mizoram: MNF-HPC(R) wins SHC polls

Aizawl: In a major setback, the ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM)- Hmar People's Convention (HPC) in Mizoram suffered a defeat against the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF)-Hmar People's Convention (Reformed) alliance in the 12-member Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) polls held on Tuesday. 

According to the poll results announced by the state election commission in 11 constituencies on Tuesday night, the MNF- HPC(R) combine secured a majority winning 7 seats, while ZPM won 3 seats out of  8 it contested.

Seven seats are required to win a simple majority. The result of one constituency is pending, officials said. The HPC failed to win even a single seat out of 4 it contested. 

Congress bagged 1 out of the 12 seats it contested, while BJP, which contested one seat drew blank. 

Of the 11 elected candidates, six are new faces.

According to election officials, 71.69 per cent of 23,789 votes have been cast in the polls. 

There was no law and order issue during the 9-hour voting, they said.

A total of 49 candidates, including a woman, were in the fray for the polls. 

The SHC was established on July 9, 2018, as a result of the peace accord signed between the Mizoram government and the erstwhile underground Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) or HPC(D) on April 2 that year.

The council has 12 elected members and two nominated seats.