Kamal Ghorui
Aizawl: Preparations for Tuesday’s election to the 19-ward Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) have been “more or less completed”, state election commissioner H Lalthlangliana said on Saturday.Lalthlangliana said preparations for the Aizawl city civic polls have been smooth, except for complaints over violations of the election model code of conduct (EMCC), which he said have been settled decisicely.Final randomisation of polling personnel was conducted on Saturday in the presence of representatives of all political parties, under the supervision of the Election Officer, the Municipal Returning Officer (MRO) and the Assistant Municipal Returning Officer (AMRO).A total of 68 candidates are contesting the AMC election. The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) have fielded candidates in all 19 wards, while BJP is contesting 11 wards.Six of the 19 wards are reserved for women. Seven women — three each from ZPM and MPCC and one from MNF — are contesting general seats. The civic election is being closely watched as a test for the ZPM govt, which assumed power on Dec 8, 2023, and has since lost elections to the Sinlung Hills Council, the Dampa assembly by-election and the Lai Autonomous District Council. The poll is also significant for MNF, which has ruled the AMC for two consecutive terms, and for MPCC, which won only one seat in the 2023 assembly polls and is seeking to rebuild support.
