Mizoram is gearing up for a high‑stakes by‑poll in the Dampa Assembly seat, which will be contested by five candidates on November 11.
On Tuesday, the last day to file nominations, the Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) candidate K. Zahmingthanga submitted his papers to Returning Officer Malsawmzuala. The MPC, once a major force under the late Chief Minister Brigadier T. Sailo, now faces stronger competition from the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the Mizo National Front (MNF), the BJP and the Congress.
Other nominees include Vanlalsailova of the ZPM, a well‑known Mizo singer and preacher; R. Lalthangliana of the MNF, Vice‑President of that party and former Health Minister; Lalhmangaiha of the BJP, who previously served as a Congress leader; and John Rotluangliana of the Congress, the party’s state Vice‑President and former minister.
The Election Commission will scrutinize nominations on Wednesday, and candidates can withdraw by October 24. The Dampa seat, located in Mamit district next to Bangladesh, became vacant after the death of MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21. The by‑poll is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests in Mizoram.
Election officials have also set up three central observers—a General, Police, and Expenditure observer—to oversee the process. Security is being handled by the State Police under Inspector General H. Ramthlengliana.
The electorate is composed of 20,790 registered voters, including 10,185 women, according to the final rolls released on September 30. With its diverse demographic mix, including Chakma and Reang tribes, the Dampa by‑poll will be a key indicator of how national and local parties fare in the region.
Polling will take place on November 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14. The outcome will shape Mizoram’s political landscape ahead of the next state elections.
Source: ianslive
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