AIZAWL: Polling for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram is underway across the state under tight security arrangements.
Voting began at 7 am in all 1276 polling stations across Mizoram and more than 26 percent of over 8.56 lakh voters cast their votes till 11 am.
Polling is going on peacefully and there was no report of technical glitches with EVMs or law and order problem till now, Mizoram chief electoral officer (CEO) Madhup Vyas said.
Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma cast his vote at Chawlhhmun middle school in the western part of Aizawl at 9.45 am.
Mizo National Front (MNF) president and former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga cast his vote at 7 am, while Mizoram Congress president Lal Thanzara also exercised his franchise around 7:30 am.
Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Mizoram Cm Lalduhoma exuded confidence that his party will win the Lok Sabha polls.
He reiterated that his party will remain neutral and not align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) or the Congress-spearheaded Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) if ZPM candidate Richard Vanlalhmangaiha is elected.
At least 6500 polling personnel, over 3500 policemen and 12 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed for the Lok Sabha polls in Mizoram.
Six candidates, including a woman, are in the fray for the elections to the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram.
The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has fielded debutant Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, while main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) fielded sitting lone Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram, K Vanlalvena.
Congress has fielded former Mizoram home secretary Lalbiakzama, who is also a newbie in politics, BJP nominated its state president Vanlalhmuaka and People’ Conference (PC) party fielded a woman candidate, Rita Malsawmi.
Lalhriatrenga Chhangte, who had unsuccessfully contested the last Lok Sabha polls in 2019, is again trying his luck as an independent candidate this time.
In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, then ruling MNF nominee C Lalrosanga defeated his nearest opponent Lalnghinglova Hmar, an independent candidate backed by Congress and ZPM, by a margin of 8140 votes.
The MNF had secured a vote share of 44.9 per cent, Congress-ZPM combine- 43.6 per cent and BJP- 5.75 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Counting of votes will take place on June 4, along with rest of the country.