Aizawl: All 68 candidates who filed nominations for the upcoming election to the 19-ward Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) have been found valid after scrutiny, Mizoram’s state election commissioner H Lalthlangliana said on Saturday. Polling is scheduled for April 21.Lalthlangliana told TOI that the last date for withdrawal of candidature is Monday, up to 3 pm.The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the Mizo National Front (MNF), and the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) have fielded candidates in all 19 wards, while the BJP has nominees in 11 wards. The civic polls will be a four-party contest, with the main battle expected between the ZPM, MNF, and MPCC. Notably, there is no independent candidate.
Of the 19 wards, six are reserved for women. In addition, five women are contesting in general wards against male candidates. Lalthlangliana said 40 EVMs, manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and requisitioned from the ECI, will be used in the polls. Engineers from BEL will test the machines before deployment.An electorate of 2,37,846 — comprising 1,28,470 female voters and 1,09,376 male voters — is eligible to vote in the AMC elections. A total of 257 polling stations will be set up, with auxiliary stations arranged if required, he added.
