Aizawl, Jun 18: Voting for the election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Mizoram concluded on Thursday, and the counting will commence at 5 pm to decide the electoral fate of two candidates, an official said.
The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has fielded party spokesperson K Laltluangkima, while the main opposition, Mizo National Front, nominated advocate and writer Zothansangi Hmar for the polls.
The BJP and the Congress abstained from voting.
Twenty-six of 27 ZPM MLAs and 10 legislators of the MNF exercised their franchise, an official said.
ZPM legislator from Tuichang constituency, W Chhuanawma, could not participate in the voting due to health issues, the official said.
Lalthangmawia, the additional secretary in the assembly secretariat, said voting began at 9 am and was scheduled to end at 4 pm, but the process concluded around 11 am.
The counting will begin at 5 pm, he said.
“All logistical and security arrangements were in place for the voting. Counting of votes will be held at the assembly building,” he said.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma cast his vote at 9.43 am and dismissed the opposition’s allegation that there was a rift within the ruling ZPM, which could trigger cross-voting during the ongoing polling for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in the state.
“The allegation that there is an internal squabble within the ZPM and potential cross-vote in the Rajya Sabha poll is a ploy of the opposition to distract public attention. They have been doing this from the beginning. There will be no cross-vote as our legislators remain united during the voting,” the CM said.
Lalduhoma was the first legislator to participate in the voting, followed by Horticulture Minister C. Lalsawivunga.
In the 40-member Mizoram assembly, the ZPM has 27 legislators, the MNF 10, the BJP two and the Congress one legislator.
MNF legislator and leader of opposition Lalchhandama Ralte alleged that there was a rift within the ZPM.
He expressed hope that the MNF might get votes from the ruling party.
Ralte also claimed that ZPM legislators exercised their franchise from 10:30 am onwards and remained united during the voting.
Congress MLA C Ngunlianchunga said that he did not cast his vote as suggested by the party high command.
BJP media convener Johny Lalthanpuia also said its two legislators did not participate in voting for the Rajya Sabha poll.
