Aizawl: As Mizoram prepares for the counting of votes for its lone Lok Sabha seat, officials report that a total of 4763 votes have been received via postal ballots and the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot Management System (ETPBMS).
Aizawl deputy commissioner Nazuk Kumar, who also serves as the Returning Officer for the Lok Sabha polls in Mizoram, announced that 2107 postal ballots and 2656 electronically transmitted postal ballots have been received to date.
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“A three-tier security system will be implemented on the counting day,” Kumar said.
The first security cordon will be set 100 meters from the counting centre, designated as a pedestrian zone.
The second cordon, manned by the Mizoram Armed Police Force, will be at the entry of the counting centre, and the third cordon, managed by the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), will be at the entry of the counting halls.
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At least 16 Counting Observers have been deployed by the Election Commission for Mizoram’s single parliamentary seat.
Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) will be present in each counting hall to assist the observers and supervise the counting process.
Additionally, fire tenders and medical teams will be stationed at each counting centre.
Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Madhup Vyas previously stated that more than 2000 officials will be involved in the counting process.
Kumar added that the third randomization of counting officials will occur at 5:00 am on counting day in the presence of counting observers.
Mizoram will have 13 counting centres state-wide, including three major centres at the DC Office Building, Assembly Secretariat Basement, and Government Aizawl College in Aizawl.
Media centres have been established at all counting locations to facilitate coordination between counting officials and journalists for efficient information dissemination.
AROs in the remaining 10 districts will submit their results for their respective assembly segments, and the final results will be announced by the Returning Officer from the deputy commissioner’s office in Aizawl.
In the Lok Sabha elections held on April 19, 56.6 percent of over 8.56 lakh voters in Mizoram cast their ballots.
The race features six candidates, with the primary contest expected to be among the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), Mizo National Front (MNF), and Congress.
The ZPM has nominated Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, while the MNF has fielded sitting Rajya Sabha member K. Vanlalvena.
The Congress candidate is former state home secretary Lalbiakzam.
Other candidates include BJP’s state president Vanlalhmuaka, People’s Conference (PC) party’s singer and lyricist Rita Malsawmi, and Lalhriatrenga Chhangte, who contested in the last Lok Sabha polls in 2019.