Aizawl: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Friday that the election for Mizoram’s lone Rajya Sabha seat will be held on June 18, along with 20 other seats from 10 states.The current term of the incumbent, K Vanlalvena of the Mizo National Front (MNF), expires on July 19.The notification for the election will be issued on June 1 by returning officer Zothansanga Ralte, secretary of the state legislative assembly, who has been appointed by the ECI.According to the announcement of the central election panel, nominations can be filed from June 1 to June 8. The scrutiny of the nominations will take place on June 9 and the last date for withdrawal is June 11. The polling will be held on June 18 between 9am and 4pm. The counting of votes will be conducted from 5pm on the same day.Lalmuanpuia Punte, vice-president of the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), told TOI that the party’s candidate for the Rajya Sabha election will be decided by the nomination committee, which is expected to hold a meeting soon. The ZPM has 27 legislators in the 40-member state legislative assembly and the party’s candidate is widely expected to win.The main opposition, the Mizo National Front (MNF), is yet to make a decision whether to contest the election or not. Leader of the opposition Lalchhandama Ralte said the party high command will make the decision. The MNF has 10 legislators.
