Voting for the bypolls to Serchhip assembly seat is underway amid high expectation among the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), main opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and Congress.

The polling that started at 7 am on Saturday initially got off to a slow start, but picked up pace around 11 am.

The total voter turnout at 1 pm was 55.5 per cent, which is much satisfactory as compared to previous polls, he said.

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The polling process is going on very smoothly in all the 29 polling stations and no technical and EVM issues have been reported, said an election official.

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Voting will end at 7 pm, he added.

The bypolls to Serchhip seat have been necessitated by the disqualification of incumbent MLA Lalduhoma, who is now contesting on a ZPM ticket.

Six candidates are in the fray for the Serchhip bypolls.

The MNF has fielded its vice president and former Lok Sabha member Vanlalzawma, while Congress fielded former student leader and party general secretary PC Laltlansanga.

BJP has fielded former state spokesperson and retired mining engineer Lalhriatrenga Chhangte and People Conference Party fielded its vice president Vanlalruata.

Ramhlun-Edena is contesting as an independent candidate.

There are 19,520   electorates, including 10,329 female voters in the Serchhip constituency.

In the present 40-member assembly, MNF has 27 members, Congress has five, BJP has one and there six independent members, who are informally linked to the ZPM.