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Dated Aizawl, the 28th November 2008
Mizoram which has only 40
Assembly seats goes to poll on December 02. This is
the 6th general election in the State since it
became a Union Territory in 1972. Land of the
highlanders, Mizoram became the 23rd State of India
on February 20, 1987 , after the signing of peace
accord between the underground Mizo National Front (MNF)
leader Shri Laldenga and the Government of India on
June 30, 1986.
Mizoram often remarked as ‘Garden of peace’ is a
mountainous State in the southern-most part of North
Eastern India covering a total geographical area of
21,087 sq. kms. Its 722 kms long International
boundaries touches the neighbouring countries of
Bangladesh in the west and Myanmar in the east and
south. Indian States of Manipur, Assam and Tripura
are located on its north and northeast. According to
2001 census, the total population of the State was
8,91,058 only.
ELECTORATES :
Mizoram with a high of 88.49 literacy percentage has
now an electorate strength of 6,11,124 voters.
Female voters constitute 3,08,884 and male voters
3,02,240. Women voters outnumbered male voters.
Number of contestants :
This year there are 206 contestants, which include
71 for 14 seats in Aizawl district, 30 for 7 seats
in Lunglei district, 11 for 2 seats in Saiha
district, 16 for 3 seats in Lawngtlai district, 24
for 5 seats in Champhai district, 14 for 3 seats in
Serchhip district, 22 for 3 seats in Mamit district
and 18 for 3 seats in Kolasib district.
A total of 9 women candidates are in the fray. All
major political parties have fielded women
candidates. Only one seat – Aizawl East-I
constituency is unreserved and the remaining are all
ST reserved seats.
Election – Early years :
Mizoram witnessed the first General Election to the
State Legislative Assembly which was held on
18.4.1972, three months after Mizoram became a Union
Territory on 21.1.1972. 125 candidates contested for
the 30 seats of Assembly constituencies. Congress
(INC) and Socialist Party, both recognized parties
contested 29 and 18 seats respectively. Two
unrecognized parties – Mizo Union (MU) and Mizo
Labour Party (MLP) contested 25 and 27 seats
respectively. While 56 Independents contested. MU
won 21 of the 30 seats and formed the first Ministry
headed by Shri Ch. Chhunga on 3.5.1972. On 1.2.1975,
MU merged with the Pradesh Congress Committee which
captured 6 seats, later joined by 3 successful
Independent candidates.
In the second General Election 1978, 154 candidates
contested out of which Peoples’ Conference (PC) a
recognized state party won 22 seats and Mizoram
Congress Committee (MCC) and Independents shared the
remaining 4 seats each. Brig. T. Sailo was sworn in
as the second Chief Minister. However, his Ministry
was toppled in a no-confidence motion moved by
dissident PC MLAs and the 3rd General Election was
held in 1979. 150 candidates contested. The seats
won are : PC-18, PC(B)-4, Janata Party-2, INC-5.
Brig. T. Sailo was sworn in again for the second
time as the 3rd Chief Minister and lasted full term
of five years.
A total of 138 candidates contested the Fourth
General Election held in 1984. The seats won are
INC-20, PC-8, Mizo Convention (Ind)- and Independent
one each. Shri Lal Thanhawla was sworn in as the
Chief Minister on 4.5.1984.
With the signing of the peace accord between the
underground MNF and the Government of India on
30.6.1986. Shri Lal Thanhawla stepped down from
Office to make way for an MNF-Congress (I) coalition
Government on 2.1.1986. Shri Laldenga was sworn in
as Chief Minister and Shri Lal Thanhawla as Deputy
Chief Minister.
Mizoram became 23rd State of India on 20.2.1987 and
10 Assembly seats was increased making the total
number of seats to 40. The first General Election to
the Mizoram State Legislative Assembly was held on
16.2.1987. 145 candidates contested the election and
the seats won are – IND-13, PC-3, MNF-24, Shri
Laldenga successfully contested two constituencies
(34-Aizawl North and 29-Sateek). MNF Leader Shri
Laldenga was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of
Mizoram State. In the second General Election to the
Mizoram State Legislative Assembly held in 1989, 162
candidates contested. The seats won are INC-23,
PC-1, MNF-14, MNF (Democratic)-2, Congress-I
Ministry headed by Shri Lal Thanhawla was sworn in
on 24.1.1989.
General Election scheduled to be held in 1994 had to
be preponed owing to Gospel Centenary Celebration
and was held in 30th November 1993. In 1993 general
election , election scenario was rather interesting.
For the first time, the congress formed an electoral
alliance with a local party – the Peoples’
Conference (PC) led by Brig. T. Sailo. PC has joined
Janata Dal after the 1989 election. However, prior
to the 1993 election, it withdrew affiliation and
named itself Mizoram Janata Dal (MJD) consequently
forming an electoral alliance with the Congress-I.
In this election, 121 candidates were in the fray.
The seats secured are INC-16, MNF-14, PC(B)(Ind)-8,
Independent-2. MJD led by Brig. T. Sailo and
Congress-I led by Shri Lal Thanhawla formed a
coalition government headed by Lal Thanhawla as
Chief Minister.
The 4th General Election to the Mizoram State
Legislative Assembly was held on 25th November 1998.
This time the MNF-MPC combine captured 32 seats (MNF
21, MPC 11) while the INC secured 6 seats. The
coalition Ministry headed by Zoramthanga was sworn
in on 3rd December 1998. Lalhmingthanga, Working
President of MPC became Deputy Chief Minister. The
coalition Ministry came to an end on 9th December
1999. With the exit of the MPC MLA’s, the strength
of the MNF member became 22 with one Independent
supporter.
The 5th General Assembly was held on 20th November,
2003. MNF 21, INC 12, MPC 3, ZNP 2, Mara Democratic
Front 1, Hmar People’s Convention 1. Zoramthanga was
sworn in as Chief Minister for the second time on
4th December 2003. For the first time, Elector
Voting Machine (EVM) was used in this election.
Assembly By-Elections :
So far, 9 Bye-Election have been held in Mizoram.
The first Bye-Election was held in 1982 (19.5.1982)
after 4 elected members of the People’s Conference
‘B’ vacated their seats in 1981. The second
Bye-Election was held in the 1983 (8..4.1983) due to
the murder of a P.C. MLA. In 1984, a candidate of
the People’s Conference party for N. Vanlaiphai
constituency was murdered and Bye-Election was held
on 27..6.1984. 4th Bye-Election was held in 1987 for
Sateek constituency due to dual membership of a
candidate. In 1991, the fifth Bye-Election was held
for Aizawl South-II and Aizawl West-II, due to the
death of two MNF MLA’s and Tuipang due to nomination
of member to Rajya Sabha. In 1999, the sixth
Bye-Election was held for Khawbung constituency due
to seat vacated by Mr. Zoramthanga. In 2004,
Bye-Election was held for Kolasib due to dual
membership of Zoramthanga.
In 2005, the eight Bye-Election was held for
Kawrthah and Phuldungsei Constituencies as a result
of the vacancies caused by the resignation of Mr.
Saikapthiang MLA and Mr. Liansuama, MLA. The ninth
Bye-Election was held on 30th October 2006 for
Tlungvel Constituency due to the death of its MLA,
Sainghaka and for Chawngte due to resignation of its
MLA RM Chakma on account of Office of Profit
controversy.
Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) - Presently, the
EPIC coverage in Mizoram is 91 % which is the
highest in the country. About 1500 nos. of
electronic voting machine (EVM) are to be used this
time.
Polling : There are 1,026 polling stations in
Mizoram which include 79 sensitive polling stations.
The contest is expected to be neck to neck amongst
the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), Indian
National Congress (INC) and the newly formed United
Dermocratic Alliance (UDA) consisting of the Mizoram
Peoples Conference (MPC), Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP)
and Zoram Khuthnathawktu Pawl (ZKP). Present chief
minister Zoramthanga , former Congress chief
minister Lal Thanhawla and UDA dy. chief ministerial
candidate Lalduhawma are all contesting in 2 (two)
assembly constituencies each.Former chief minister
Brig. T. Sailo, who is the UDA’s chief ministerial
candidate is contesting in only one constituency.
Other parties :
Other contestants political parties includes -
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-9, Lok Janshakti Party
(LJP)-39, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-6, Lok
Bharati-6, Janata Dal United (JDU)-2. Altogether 29
Independents are in the fray.
A Unique Election :
The peculiar feature of this election in Mizoram is
that all the political parties have agreed not to
put up election posters and instead only
banners/flags would be used. This has been strictly
adhered to by all parties including independents.
The influential Mizoram People Forum (MPF) appeals
to the public and political parties – to exercise
rightful franchise and to ensure free and fair poll,
etc. The Election Commission had earlier appreciated
Mizoram for the good work done in conducting
elections peacefully.
In every constituencies throughout the State, the
Mizoram People Forum (MPF) is arranging public
platform to express their views, interaction, etc.
for contestant in most of the localities (Vengs)
irrespective of the political affiliations.
Media Scene :
The media scene in Mizoram is unique. With high
percentage of literacy, most of the people in the
State keep abreast of the latest in the election
scene through the various means of mass media. There
are more than 50 daily newspapers and more than 20
periodicals in the State. These papers provide
extensive reading materials. Some of the editors are
also associated with political parties. A few of
them are contesting this election.
Inter Media Publicity Co-Ordination Committee (IMPCC),
Mizoram have also selected ‘voters Rights’ and ‘free
and fair Poll’ as its publicity campaign theme.
Three Cable Television Networks namely LPS, Skylink
and Zonet through its cable service provide election
update, discussion, joint interviews with
candidates, etc. and received wide acclaim from the
public.
Election related news are also regularly flashed
through local media – AIR, DDK, PIB and the State
DIPR has also set-up media centre at all the
district headquarters . AIR Aizawl is also making
arrangement for special election bulletin and
Live-broadcast of the election results. Regional
News unit (RNU) Doordarshan Aizawl is producing a
15-minute special election bulletin in Mizo from
6:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. daily besides its 5-minute
daily news headlines at 5:30 p.m. -5:35 p.m. and
15-minute daily news bulletin from 7:00 p.m.-7:15
p.m. DSNG Van for DD News Live feed have also been
pressed into service. Representative of Political
Parties and Journalists are also invited for Live
discussion and telecast at its News and Current
Affairs Programme – ‘Zoram Thlirna’.
November-December is a fair and pleasant month in
Mizoram. The Mizos are ready for a free and fair
poll once again. (PIB).
* AD (M&C), PIB, Aizawl.
PIB
Aizawl |
