Mizoram election 2023: State registers 78.4% voter turnout

As per the Election Commission of India, Mizoram recorded a voter turnout of 78.4%. Voting for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly election commenced at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 7, under tight security measures, according to officials. The polling was open until 5 p.m.

Reacting to the news, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said, "It (high voter turnout) could mean anything. I don't think it indicates an inclination to vote for change and neither does it suggest that they don't like the ruling party anymore."

He added that voting continued in some seats until 9 p.m. due to issues with the EVMs. Voter turnout was 52.73% at 1 p.m., 26.43% at 11 a.m. and 12.8% as of 9 a.m.

There are more than 8.57 lakh eligible voters, including 4.39 lakh women, participating in the electoral process and determining the fate of 174 candidates.

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the primary opposition, the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), and Congress have fielded candidates in all constituencies. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting in 23 constituencies, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has nominated candidates in four assembly segments. Additionally, there are 27 independent candidates.

Technical issues with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were reported at a polling station in Aizawl, where Chief Minister Zoramthanga is expected to cast his vote, officials confirmed.

Out of the 1,276 polling stations across Mizoram, 149 are remote voting centres, and 30 located along the inter-state and international borders have been designated as critical and vulnerable.

Elaborate security measures have been put in place with 7,200 personnel deployed throughout the state to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election, officials stated.

The 510-kilometre-long international border with Myanmar and the 318-kilometre boundary with Bangladesh have been sealed in preparation for the assembly constituency polling.