“Votes will never change”: ZPM candidate expresses ‘happiness’ over change of counting day for Mizoram Assembly polls

Aizawl (Mizoram) [India], December 2 (ANI): Lalnghinglova Hmar, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader and party candidate from Aizawl West-II has expressed his happiness after the Election Commission of India revised the date for counting of votes in Mizoram Assembly elections for December 4.

Speaking to ANI, the ZPM leader asserted the mandate of the people will not change with the change in the date of counting.

“…We all know Mizoram is a Christian majority state…Counting votes on Sunday will be a big problem…90 per cent of the activities stop on Sunday. So, it is a very welcome decision from the ECI…So, I’m happy because the vote will never change, it is only the day,” Hmar said.

Expressing confidence that his party will form the government in the state, Lalnghinglova Hmar said, “ZPM will win at least 25 seats in Mizoram this time and his stand is still on that. We are very much confident that, ZPM will form the government in Mizoram this time.”

Earlier the vote counting for Mizoram polls was scheduled to be held on December 3.

The poll body said that the date has been revised as several representations were received from various quarters of the state to change the vote counting day.

“The Commission has received several representations from various quarters requesting for change in the date of counting from 3rd December 2023 (Sunday) to some other weekday, on the ground that 3rd December 2023 being Sunday a special significance for the people of Mizoram,” an official statement issued by Election Commission said on Friday.

“The Commission, having considered these representations, has decided to revise the date of counting for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram from 3rd December 2023 (Sunday) to 4th December 2023 (Monday),” it added.

The elections that were held on November 7 to the 40-member Mizoram assembly, the Mizo National Front (MNF) faced a challenge from the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), Congress and BJP.

Polling for the 40-member Mizoram assembly was held on November 7 and 80.66 per cent of voters turnout was recorded in the state.