Lunglei March 29, 2023: Voters in Lunglei, the second-largest town in the Indian state of Mizoram, took part in the first-ever municipal council election on Wednesday.
The election was held for 11 wards within Lunglei’s 24 neighbourhoods, where more than 40000 voters were eligible to cast their ballots.
The polling was peaceful and orderly, with no reports of violence or irregularities. The voting started at 7 am and will end at 4 pm.
The district administration deployed 55 presiding officers, 55 first polling officers and 55-second polling officers to monitor the election. Sector magistrates and flying squads were also on duty, along with police personnel at 44 polling stations.
The counting of votes will take place on Monday, April 3, and the election process is expected to be completed by April 6.
The Lunglei Municipal Council election is seen as a test of popularity for the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), which faces a challenge from the opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the Congress party.
The MNF, which came to power in Mizoram in 2018, has promised to develop Lunglei as a model city with better infrastructure and amenities.
The Congress, which ruled Mizoram for two consecutive terms before losing to the MNF, has accused the state government of neglecting Lunglei and other parts of southern Mizoram.
Along with Aizawl, Lunglei is one of the two areas in Mizoram with its own municipal government. The municipal councils have more powers and funds than the village councils that govern most of rural Mizoram. The LMC poll is expected to give a predictive insight into the coming state election this year.