Elaborate arrangements have been made for the counting of votes for the assembly elections in Mizoram, which saw a three-way fight between the ruling MNF, the ZPM and the Congress, on Monday.
The counting was supposed to happen on Sunday along with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. However, it was deferred by the Election Commission following appeals by political parties, NGOs, churches and students' bodies as Sunday holds a special significance for the people of Mizoram, a Christian-majority state.
The counting of votes started in all 13 centres at 8 am amid tight security.
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Top Fight - South Tuipui
C. Laldintluanga
(INC)
Won
Dr R Lalthangliana
(MNF)
Lost
Top Fight - Kolasib
S. Lalrinawma
(INC)
Leading
K. Lalrinliana
(MNF)
Trailing
6:01 PM, 4 Dec
Out of 11 Mizoram ministers who contested Assembly elections, nine have failed to retain their seats and lost to Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) candidates, according to Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday.
5:13 PM, 4 Dec
The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) has stormed to power in Mizoram by dethroning the Mizo National Front (MNF) bagging 27 seats in the 40-member House. According to the Election Commission of India, one more seat's result is yet to be announced.
4:12 PM, 4 Dec
Mizoram CM Zoramthanga tenders his resignation to Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan.
Lalduhoma, an ex-IPS officer who served as the in-charge of former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s security, is the chief ministerial face of the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM).
3:03 PM, 4 Dec
Mizoram Chief Minister and MNF candidate Zoramthanga lost to ZPM's Lalthansanga by 2,101 votes in the Aizawl East-1 seat, according to the Election Commission. Lalthansanga secured 10,727 votes, while Zoramthanga got 8,626 votes, it said. Lalsanglura Ralte of the Congress managed 2,520 votes.
1:44 PM, 4 Dec
State BJP President Vanlalhmuaka says, "...Earlier I said that people expected a hung assembly but after seeing the results, it is a little unexpected but we accept it and we respect the people's mandate....Under the leadership of PM Modi and JP Nadda, BJP is progressing a lot in Mizoram. In 2018, we were getting only 1 seat but now we are about to get 3 seats, we have already secured 2..."
Mizoram Elections | State BJP President Vanlalhmuaka says, "...Earlier I said that people expected a hung assembly but after seeing the results, it is a little unexpected but we accept it and we respect the people's mandate....Under the leadership of PM Modi and JP… pic.twitter.com/rDkKhoEtf1— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2023
1:26 PM, 4 Dec
The BJP won the Palak and the Saiha Assembly constituency in Mizoram on Monday, according to the Election Commission. BJP candidate K Hrahmo won the Palak Assembly constituency defeating his MNF rival K T Rokhaw by 1,241 votes, the EC said. Hrahmo got 6,064 votes while Rokhaw secured 4,823 votes. Indian National Congress candidate I P Junior received 3,729 votes while Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) nominee K Robinson got 1,378 votes. BJP candidate K Beichhua won the Saiha Assembly seat defeating his MNF rival H C Lalmalsawma Zasai by 616 votes. Beichua received 6,740 votes while Zasai got 6,124 votes. N Chakhai of the Indian National Congress secured 3,607 votes while ZPM candidate K H Beithie got 2,219 votes.
12:56 PM, 4 Dec
The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) was racing towards power in Mizoram, having already won 12 seats and leading in 15 others as votes were being counted for assembly elections on Monday, according to the Election Commission (EC). The ruling MNF has won two seats and was leading in eight others, but several of its senior leaders were either trailing or have already lost. Chief Minister Zoramthanga was trailing in the Aizawl East-1 seat to ZPM's Lalthansanga after three rounds of counting. Deputy CM Tawnluia lost to ZPM candidate W Chhuanawma in the Tuichang seat by a margin of 909 votes. Rural Development Minister Lalruatkima lost to ZPM's Lalnghinglova Hmar in Aizawl West-II seat by 4,819 votes.
12:51 PM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
Serchhip: ZPM Chief Ministerial candidate Lalduhoma says,"... Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will meet the Governor...Swearing-in will be within this month...
#WATCH | #MizoramElections2023 | Serchhip: ZPM Chief Ministerial candidate Lalduhoma says,"... Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will meet the Governor...Swearing-in will be within this month... pic.twitter.com/An2dikjljq
Mizoram Rural Development Minister and MNF candidate Laruatkima lost to ZPM nominee Lalnghinglova Hmar in the Aizawl West II Assembly constituency, according to the Election Commission. Hmar of Zoram People's Movement secured 10,398, while Lalruatkima of Mizo National Front got 5,579 and Ngurdingliana of Indian National Congress received 1,528 votes, the EC said.
11:30 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) workers and supporters begin celebrations in Serchhip after the party registers a comfortable lead in the state election - winning 2 and leading on 24 of the total 40 seats.
ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) workers and supporters begin celebrations in Serchhip after the party registers a comfortable lead in the state election - winning 2 and leading on 24 of the total 40 seats.
#WATCH | #MizoramElections2023 | ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) workers and supporters begin celebrations in Serchhip after the party registers a comfortable lead in the state election - winning 2 and leading on 24 of the total 40 seats. pic.twitter.com/dVHE853Fp5
The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) was leading in 17 seats, while the MNF was ahead in 10 as initial trends poured in for the assembly elections in Mizoram on Monday morning, officials said. Chief Minister Zoramthanga was trailing in the Aizawl East-1 seat to ZPM candidate Lalthansanga after the first round of counting.
10:28 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
Mizoram Deputy Chief Minister and MNF candidate Tawnluia lost to ZPM candidate in the Tuichang Assembly seat, according to the Election Commission. Tawluia of Mizo National Front (MNF) received 6,079 votes while the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) candidate W Chhuanawma got 6,988.
10:12 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
Official EC trends of all 40 seats in - ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) comfortably crosses the halfway mark, wins 1 and leads on 25 seats.
Ruling MNF (Mizo National Front) leads on 9 seats, BJP on 3 and Congress on 2.
Top Fight - South Tuipui
C. Laldintluanga
(INC)
Leading
Dr R Lalthangliana
(MNF)
Trailing
9:53 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
Lalnghinglova Hmar, ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) Party candidate of Aizawl West 2, says, "...During the first round, I am leading by around 2000 votes, which looks healthy... But anything can happen in the second round... We are hopeful of getting a seat in my constituency... My prediction on polling day was 25 seats for ZPM... "
Lalnghinglova Hmar, ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) Party candidate of Aizawl West 2, says, "...During the first round, I am leading by around 2000 votes, which looks healthy... But anything can happen in the second round... We are hopeful of getting a seat in my constituency... My prediction on polling day was 25 seats for ZPM... "
#WATCH | Mizoram Elections | Lalnghinglova Hmar, ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) Party candidate of Aizawl West 2, says, "...During the first round, I am leading by around 2000 votes, which looks healthy... But anything can happen in the second round... We are hopeful of getting a… pic.twitter.com/HKIqNIjJQK
Early official EC trends in;
MNF (Mizo National Front) leading on 5 seats while ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) ruling on 3 seats.
BJP and Congress leading on 1 each.
Counting of votes on all 40 seats is underway.
9:14 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
Early official EC trends in; ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) leading on 2 seats while ruling MNF (Mizo National Front), BJP and Congress leading on 1 each.
9:13 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
Aizawl: Nazuk Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, says, "...We started at 8 a.m. with the postal ballots...Now we have started with round one of EVMs...Everything is peaceful... We have 12 counting halls...We are prepared for any victory procession and any celebrations that happen... We have CAPF deployed in the innermost Cordon and state police in the outer Cordon..."
#WATCH | Mizoram Elections | Aizawl: Nazuk Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, says, "...We started at 8 a.m. with the postal ballots...Now we have started with round one of EVMs...Everything is peaceful... We have 12 counting halls...We are prepared for any victory procession and any… pic.twitter.com/4Nga6t9jsT
As per the ECI website, the BJP is leading in one seat.
8:44 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
After counting of postal ballots, counting of votes cast through EVMs begins.
Visuals from a counting centre at Aizawl Government College where strong room was unlocked for EVMs to be brought out.
#WATCH | #MizoramElections2023 | After counting of postal ballots, counting of votes cast through EVMs begins.
Visuals from a counting centre at Aizawl Government College where strong room was unlocked for EVMs to be brought out. pic.twitter.com/epdcbCNHUB
The MNF, ZPM and Congress contested 40 seats each, while the BJP fielded candidates in 13 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which contested the assembly polls here for the first time, fought in four seats. Also, there were 17 Independent candidates.
8:02 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
Visuals from a counting centre in Aizawl as boxes containing ballot papers being brought here.
Polling was held on November 7, and over 80 per cent of the state's 8.57 lakh voters exercised their franchise. A total of 174 candidates, including 18 women, were in the fray.
7:39 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
In some of the seats that have a lesser number of voters, only two rounds of counting will be held, but in most of the constituencies, five rounds will be counted.
7:34 AM, 4 Dec
Mizoram
Besides three counting centres in the Aizawl district, which has 12 assembly constituencies, one centre each has been set up in the 10 other districts.
READ MORE
Dec 02, 2023, 10:41 pm IST
The election results on Sunday in four states are being keenly watched by parties of the INDIA grouping, with the Congress' performance likely to affect the dynamics in the opposition alliance which will now step up preparations to take on the BJP in next year's general elections.
Dec 02, 2023, 10:49 pm IST
While some parties including the TMC, AAP and SP were keen on having early seat-sharing talks, the Congress delayed the deliberations pending the outcome of assembly polls.
Dec 02, 2023, 11:03 pm IST
Starting with postal ballots, counting will commence at 8 am amid tight security for 230 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 90 seats in Chhattisgarh, 119 seats in Telangana and 199 seats in Rajasthan as polling on one seat in the desert state was put off due to the death of a candidate. In Mizoram, counting will be held on Monday A three-tier security arrangement has been put in place and only people holding valid passes will be allowed to enter the counting centres, election officials said.
Dec 02, 2023, 11:12 pm IST
After wresting Karnataka from the BJP in May, the Congress is eyeing Madhya Pradesh and Telangana and is hoping to retain power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. An impressive performance in these polls will boost the party's standing in the opposition INDIA alliance which has been formed to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Dec 02, 2023, 11:15 pm IST
The BJP is seeking to replicate the winning streak of Gujarat, where it has been ruling since 1998, in Madhya Pradesh with four-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan hoping to form government again. The party is also keen to win back Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh as it seeks to regain its hold in the Hindi heartland states ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Dec 02, 2023, 11:17 pm IST
"The face of the Congress has been exposed. Only the results are to come tomorrow. The good governance that the public wanted will be found under the BJP government," Union minister Anurag Thakur said in Jaipur, adding that the people want the "double-engine" government of the BJP.
Dec 02, 2023, 11:23 pm IST
With several pollsters predicting a close fight, there were reports claiming that parties have decided to herd their winning candidates swiftly to prevent any poaching and were also reaching out to independents, rebel candidates and smaller parties.
Dec 02, 2023, 11:24 pm IST
Rajasthan
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot says, "We came to the war room and spoke to the candidates. They will go to the counting centres... I spoke to them and they are excited and confident about winning. We will win and make a government with a clear majority."
#WATCH | Jaipur; Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot says, "We came to the war room and spoke to the candidates. They will go to the counting centres... I spoke to them and they are excited and confident about winning. We will win and make a government with a clear majority." pic.twitter.com/xuqSRt3yY5
Counting of votes will be held on today in assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
Dec 03, 2023, 6:20 am IST
The results of the Assembly elections in five states are just hours away, prompting intense scrutiny of the recently revealed exit poll data. However, history indicates that exit polls can be as accurate as they are wildly inaccurate. In the 2018 Assembly polls, while the averages of certain exit polls were only slightly off in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, their predictions significantly missed the mark for Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram.
Dec 03, 2023, 6:22 am IST
Both the BJP and the Congress had tailored their agendas keeping the upcoming general elections in perspective. For the BJP, having clinched victories in Gujarat and Tripura last year but faced setbacks in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, securing wins is crucial to gather momentum leading up to the Lok Sabha polls. Meanwhile, the Congress is keen on winning a couple of states in hopes of bolstering its position for seat-sharing negotiations with the allies of the INDIA bloc.
Dec 03, 2023, 7:18 am IST
Mizoram
In Mizoram, the recorded turnout for female voters stands at 81.25%, slightly surpassing the recorded 80.04% turnout for male voters.
Dec 03, 2023, 7:19 am IST
Mizoram
The overall polling percentage reached 80.66%, determining the electoral destiny of 174 candidates.
Dec 03, 2023, 7:19 am IST
Mizoram
The counting of votes for the Mizoram Assembly Election is scheduled for Monday, December 4th. As customary, the counting process will commence at 8 am.
Dec 03, 2023, 7:20 am IST
Madhya Pradesh
On Thursday, news channel exit polls projected a tight race in Madhya Pradesh. Despite this, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who heavily relied on the Ladli Behana Yojana to counter anti-incumbency, maintained confidence in a BJP victory. "I've consistently mentioned that there's no real competition in Madhya Pradesh, and the BJP will secure a decisive majority. The support and guidance of PM Modi, Amit Shah's strategies, JP Nadda's leadership, our workers' efforts, and the government's initiatives all affirm that the BJP is poised to secure a majority in the state," Chouhan asserted.
Dec 03, 2023, 7:21 am IST
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel remained steadfast in his assertion that the Congress would secure 75 out of 90 seats, despite eight different news channel exit polls indicating the party's lead in the state. Responding to queries about the Chanakya exit polls projecting 57 seats for Congress, CM Baghel remarked, "That 57 will swiftly transform into 75." Addressing concerns about the "operation lotus" (a term denoting BJP's attempts to lure legislators to form a government), Baghel expressed confidence, stating, "There won't be any need for it, and they won't succeed. We place our trust in hard work and in the faith of the people."
Dec 03, 2023, 7:21 am IST
Telangana
K.T. Rama Rao, working president of BRS and the son of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, brushed off the exit poll outcomes, affirming, "I assure you, for all those supporting BRS and wishing for KCR's return in the state, mark my words on December 3, we're making a comeback. We're poised to return with approximately 70 seats out of the total 119 segments."
Dec 03, 2023, 7:24 am IST
Rajasthan
In a few hours from now, the fate of Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and Vasundhara Raje will be decided as the counting for the crucial Rajasthan Assembly Election 2023 begins at 8am today.
Dec 03, 2023, 7:33 am IST
Rajasthan
In 2018, the Congress became the single largest party with 100 seats, short of the majority by 1 seat in the 200-member assembly. This time, 199 seats went to the election.
Dec 03, 2023, 7:42 am IST
Chhattisgarh
Preparations underway at the counting centre in Raipur where the counting of votes for the Assembly Elections will begin shortly.
#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: Preparations underway at the counting centre in Raipur where the counting of votes for the Assembly Elections will begin shortly. pic.twitter.com/nBI8Nkt13f
On the counting of votes, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Rajendra Rathore says, "...After some time, a new government will be formed...BJP will win with a huge majority & form government..."
#WATCH Churu, Rajasthan: On the counting of votes, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Rajendra Rathore says, "...After some time, a new government will be formed...BJP will win with a huge majority & form government..." pic.twitter.com/BUWI84spIZ
On the counting of votes, Congress leader Jitu Patwari says, "...The kind of 'Tandav' the BJP had created by tearing apart the dignity of democracy, created a market of MLAs the country has seen. After all these circumstances, people have suffered the pain of inflation, unemployment, and diseases...The kind of chaos they have created in the country is about to end..."
Dec 03, 2023, 7:47 am IST
Chhattisgarh
Counting of votes today in the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly, BJP leader & former CM Raman Singh says, "BJP will make government with clear majority in the state. We will 42-55 seats in the state."
Dec 03, 2023, 7:48 am IST
Ahead of the counting of 4-state elections, a Congress worker - dressed as Lord Hanuman - stands outside the party HQ in Delhi.
#WATCH | Ahead of the counting of 4-state elections, a Congress worker - dressed as Lord Hanuman - stands outside the party HQ in Delhi.
Ahead of poll verdict, Rajasthan minister & Congress leader BD Kalla says, "I can say that I will get mandate of people of Bikaner and enter the Legislative Assembly...Congress will repeat government in the state."
#WATCH | Ahead of poll verdict, Rajasthan minister & Congress leader BD Kalla says, "I can say that I will get mandate of people of Bikaner and enter the Legislative Assembly...Congress will repeat government in the state." pic.twitter.com/2IwJCPSozs
Election officials bring the postal ballots to the counting centre in Warangal as counting of votes in Telangana Assembly elections begins at 8am
#WATCH | Election officials bring the postal ballots to the counting centre in Warangal as counting of votes in Telangana Assembly elections begins at 8am pic.twitter.com/zEjT2JoQSa
Strong police presence at a counting centre in Jodhpur as counting of votes in Rajasthan Assembly elections is set to begin shortly
#WATCH | Strong police presence at a counting centre in Jodhpur as counting of votes in Rajasthan Assembly elections is set to begin shortly pic.twitter.com/J9Xuq0rc3X
Strong room in Surguja unlocked in the presence of counting officials ahead of the counting of votes for the state assembly elections.
#WATCH | Chhattisgarh | Strong room in Surguja unlocked in the presence of counting officials ahead of the counting of votes for the state assembly elections.
Congress candidate from Bhilai, Devendra Singh Yadav says, "Public has seen the work of the Chief Minister and Congress party in last five years. Voting took place on that basis. Congress will register a grand victory today..."
#WATCH | Congress candidate from Bhilai, Devendra Singh Yadav says, "Public has seen the work of the Chief Minister and Congress party in last five years. Voting took place on that basis. Congress will register a grand victory today..." pic.twitter.com/H5CPS8PReR