Mizoram polls: Mizo National Front seeks to retain power as it fights corruption, nepotism charges

After a day’s delay, Mizoram is now likely to witness a tough fight between incumbent Chief Minister Zoramthanga-led Mizo National Front and the Zoram People’s Movement for forming the government in the state.

The polls for the 40-member Assembly took place on November 7 with the northeastern state recording a voter turnout of 77.73%. The vote counting began at 8 am on Monday.

A total of 174 candidates are contesting the polls. The Mizo National Front, the Congress and the Zoram People’s Movement are contesting all 40 constituencies. The Bharatiya Janata Party is fighting for 23 seats, the Aam Aadmi Party for four and independents are fighting for 27 seats.

The Mizo National Front won 26 out of 40 Assembly seats in the 2018 polls when it allied with the BJP. The Congress had secured five seats while the BJP won a single seat.

This time, however, exit polls released on November 30 show a tough fight between the Mizo National Front and the Zoram People’s Movement, led by Lalduhoma, a former Congress leader and an India Police Service officer.

Some of the exit polls have also highlighted the possibility of a hung Assembly in the state.

Here are some factors that may shape the contest:

• In the run-up to the polls, the Mizo...

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