Mizoram: LADC vote counting to begin on December 9

Aizawl: The election department is ready for the counting of votes for Mizoram’s Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) polls, which were held on December 3, an official said on Sunday.

Lawngtlai district election officer Donny Lalruatsanga said all necessary arrangements for accurate and fair counting have been completed.

Counting of votes will be held on December 9 at a government-run college in Lawngtlai from 8 am, he said.

Officials said there will be 25 rounds of counting, one for each of the 25 constituencies.

Meanwhile, Lalruatsanga chaired a meeting with counting agents and election agents in view of the LADC polls on Sunday, an official statement said.

He expressed appreciation to all party representatives for their cooperation in ensuring a peaceful and smooth polling process, adding that the successful and orderly conduct of polling was made possible due to their support, the statement said.

Emphasizing the importance of maintaining transparency, he urged all to continue working with sincerity, it said.

The district election officer further encouraged counting agents to discharge their duties diligently on counting day, it added.

Election Officer (EO) Collin Hlychho, who was present at the meeting, also briefed the members, stating that all required instructions, guidelines, and arrangements for counting have been fully prepared, the statement said.

Important guidelines and instructions for counting agents were also clarified during the meeting, it added.

Nearly 84 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the LADC polls held on December 3.

Eighty candidates, including 11 independents, contested the polls.

The ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) fielded candidates for all 25 seats.

The main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) nominated 20 candidates, Congress 14, and the BJP 10.

According to the state election commission, the entire election process is scheduled to be completed by December 12.

In the last LADC polls held on December 4, 2020, the MNF, then the ruling party in the state, won 20 out of 25 seats, while the BJP and Congress won one seat each, and three independent candidates were also elected.

The term of the present council will expire on December 18.

The LADC was created in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule for the Lai tribal people.

It has 25 elected members and four nominated members.