Aizawl: Polling for the Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections concluded peacefully on Tuesday, with a voter turnout of 62.77 per cent recorded among the 2.39 lakh eligible electors.
Officials said voting was conducted smoothly across 19 wards from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no reports of law and order disturbances.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma expressed confidence of a decisive victory for his party, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM). Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at Chawlhhmun polling station, he said the ZPM was poised to secure at least 16 seats, if not all 19.
He promised transparency and faster development in Aizawl if the party is voted to power, adding that recent political criticism would only strengthen the party’s position. “The various challenges and attacks directed at the ZPM recently will only serve to benefit the party in the end. We will win a landslide victory securing at least 16 or the entire seats,” he said.
Meanwhile, the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) is aiming for a third consecutive term after winning the 2015 and 2021 civic polls. Party president Zoramthanga, after casting his vote at Ramhlun Venglai, cited the MNF’s governance record as a key factor in the contest.
He also criticised the ruling ZPM, alleging that the public, including government employees and economically weaker sections, had begun losing faith in the current administration. He further claimed that the MNF had fielded stronger candidates compared to its rivals.
A total of 68 candidates, including 28 women, are contesting the elections. The ZPM, MNF and the Congress have fielded candidates in all 19 wards, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is contesting 11 seats.
Counting of votes is scheduled for April 27.