Mizoram: 101-year-old, 96-year-old voters exercise franchise

As voting for the 40-member Mizoram assembly elections began Tuesday morning, a 101-year-old voter, Pu Rualhnudala, along with his 86-year-old wife, Pi Thanghleithluaii, cast their votes. The old couple marked their ballot at 24/18 Ruantlang PS under the 24-Champhai South Assembly constituency.

Setting up an example of dedication for national duty, a 96-year-old visually impaired voter, Pu Zadawla, who refused to exercise his franchise through postal ballot, cast his vote in 1417 Saron Veng-II, Aizawl, for the assembly elections.

Among the candidates, 80-year-old Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia stands as the oldest contender, vying for the Tuichang (ST) seat.

Voting for elections to the 40-member assembly in Mizoram began at 7am on Tuesday amid tight security arrangements, officials said. Polling will continue until 4pm.

Over 8.57 lakh voters, including 4.39 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the electoral fate of 174 candidates.

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the main opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), and Congress have fielded candidates in all the seats. The BJP is contesting in 23 constituencies, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has nominated candidates in four assembly segments.

Besides, there are 27 independent candidates.

Of the 1,276 polling stations across Mizoram, 149 are remote voting centers, and 30 along the inter-state and international borders have been declared critical and vulnerable.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made with 7,200 personnel deployed across the state to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections, the officials said.

The 510-km-long international border with Myanmar and the 318-km boundary with Bangladesh have been sealed ahead of the polling of assembly constituencies.

The counting of votes will take place on December 3.

(with agency inputs)