With verdicts declared across recent state assembly elections held in Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana, the focus shifts to northeastern state Mizoram, where vote counting will commence on Monday morning.#WATCH | Preparations underway at the counting centre in Aizawl where the counting of votes for the Mizoram Assembly Elections will begin shortly.(Visuals from Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Aizawl) pic.twitter.com/pTXOnfU6el— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2023Mizoram voted on November 28 for its 40-member assembly, but the Election Commission deferred counting from December 11 given the Sunday dates religious significance for the Christian-majority population. The counting of votes will now begin at 8 AM under heavy security.#WATCH | Security stepped up at the counting centre in Serchhip where the counting of votes for the Mizoram Assembly Elections will begin shortly.(Visuals from Deputy Commissioner Office Complex, Serchhip) pic.twitter.com/rnPbhg9mVr— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2023Key partiesThe main electoral fight is between incumbent Mizo National Front, the opposition Congress and the Zoram Peoples Movement - all of whom contested 40 seats while the ruling party allied BJP fielded candidates in 13 constituencies.AAP was making its debut fighting four seats in the state dominated by smaller regional parties. Overall, 174 candidates including 18 women tried their fortunes while 17 independents also remained in the fray.In the last 2018 polls, MNF staged a comeback riding Prime Minister Narendra Modis wave to displace Congress from its 10-year rule. It clinched 26 seats while ZPM emerged runner-up with 8. Congress was relegated to just five seats compared to its previous 34-member majority. BJP managed to open an account with 1 seat during its debut.But this time, Congress and ZPM have attempted to consolidate anti-incumbency votes under a pre-poll pact while expecting to reverse fortunes after the past debacle. Both parties are looking to cross the halfway mark of 21 seats needed to assume power.What was the voter turnoutOver 80% of the 8.5 lakh strong electorate came out to vote braving security restrictions in insurgency-hit pockets. Enhanced troop deployment ensured the peaceful completion of elections seen as a direct face-off between MNF and the Congress-ZPM combine.#WATCH | Preparations underway at the counting centre in Serchhip where the counting of votes for the Mizroam Assembly Elections will begin shortly. pic.twitter.com/QiedojHJ7B— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2023Is Chief Minister Zoramthanga seeking another tenureChief Minister Zoramthanga is seeking another tenure banking on welfare schemes rolled out by his party aligned with PM Modi at the Centre. But the Opposition hopes massive religious conversion allocations under him could attract voter ire and backlash.On Monday, Mizoram will deliver its next legislative verdict with wider implications as BJP expands its Northeast footprint eyeing the Christian stronghold too while Congress wants lost ground back.
