Four candidates have filed nominations for the upcoming by-poll to the Tuirial assembly seat slated for October 30, an official said on Friday.
The by-poll to the Tuirial seat was necessitated by the demise of incumbent MLA Andrew H. Thangliana, who died in August.
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“Four candidates from four different parties have filed nominations for the by-poll till 3 pm on Friday, the last date of filing nomination papers,” Kolasib additional deputy commissioner Lallawmawma, who is the returning officer for the by-poll, said the official.
The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has fielded K. Laldawngliana, while main opposition ZPM fielded Laltlanmawia, he said.
Congress candidate Chalrosanga Ralte and BJP nominee K. Laldinthara also filed nominations on Friday, he said.
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Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on October 11, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 13.
The by-poll to the Tuirial assembly seat will be held simultaneously with three parliamentary constituencies and 29 other assembly seats in various states on October 30.
Counting of votes will be undertaken on November 2.
According to Lallawmawma, more than 17,900 voters are expected to exercise their franchise in 27 polling stations.
However, the final roll is yet to be published, he said.
Of the total voters, 663 are Brus, who are currently lodging at transit camps in Tripura and have been already allowed to permanently settle in that state according to the agreement in January last year, he said.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to decide whether or not to arrange special polling booths for the Bru voters, he added.
Earlier on Wednesday, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), P. Jawahar had said that petitions and appeals from political parties and NGOs seeking removal of names of the Bru voters, whose resettlement is under process in neighbouring Tripura, have been submitted to the ECI.
Political parties and civil society organisations have been demanding the deletion of names of Bru voters, who were reluctant to return to Mizoram and have been already allowed to re-settle in Tripura.
The central committee of Young Mizo Association (CYMA) had said that it would obstruct the Bru voters in Tripura if special polling booths are arranged for them in the upcoming by-poll.
The association had said that the Bru voters should exercise their franchise in their respective polling stations within Tuirial constituency.
Nearly 12,000 Bru voters are still enrolled in the Mizoram voter list as their re-settlement is under process, election officials said.