Mizoram: CEC finds poll preparations satisfactory

Agartala: Chief election commissioner OP Rawat has found the poll preparations in Mizoram satisfactory.

“Mizoram has always had an excellent record of holding free and fair elections. In the upcoming Assembly election, the state would once again establish its record of free and fair polls,” the CEC was quoted as saying by news reports.

Mizoram goes to polls on November 28 for the 40-member assembly elections. Out of total population of 10,91,014, as many as 7,68,181 people are eligible to vote. With 3,93,685 electorates, women outnumber men voters whose number stands at 3,74,496.

Rawat praised the district-level administration, including district magistrates who are also performing the responsibility of district electorate officers. “Their meticulous preparations would help in conducting a smooth and fair election,” he added.

The CEC also took cognizance of issues raised by political parties, civil societies, and officials. Issues raised by state representative before the CEC included Reang tribal voters who are currently sheltered in six relief camps in Tripura, concerns about reliability of EVMs and the limit of expenditure by candidates. Rawat assured to address the issues soon.

The Election Commission will issue the statutory election notification on November 2. The last date for filing of nominations is November 9. The polls will be held in a single phase on November 28.

In the last Assembly elections in 2013, the Congress had won 34 of the 40 seats. Meanwhile, the BJP has announced that the saffron party will go it alone.