Mizoram: The parties are ready for the May 5 Independent Council elections.

Aizawl: Various political parties, including Mizoram’s ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), have announced the names of candidates for the upcoming May 5 Independent District Council (MADC) elections.

The MNF, Congress and BJP have fielded candidates for all the 25 seats, while the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), which is contesting for the first time, has announced eight candidates for the council elections. What is it.

While the MNF announced the names on Tuesday, the Congress, ZPM and BJP announced the names of their claimants on Wednesday.

The BJP is currently in power in the MADC.

State BJP president Vanlalhmuaka, who released the names of party candidates at a function on Wednesday, said the saffron party would retain power in the Mara Council.

He said the BJP hopes to win 15 to 17 seats in the next elections. Announcing the names of the party’s candidates, ZPM’s acting president K. Sapdanga said on Wednesday, “It is great that ZPM is contesting elections for eight seats in its debut. Inside has seen progress.

He said the party would respect the Constitution of India and the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Mizoram People’s Forum (MPF) to ensure free and fair elections.

Polling for the 25-member MADC will be held on May 5 and counting of votes will take place on May 9.

The last date for submission of nomination papers is Wednesday, while the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is April 18.

MADC has 25 constituencies and 81 polling stations. According to the final list published on March 29, 42,326 voters, including 21,960 women voters, will exercise their franchise in the next elections.

The MADC was established in 1972 for the Mara people living in Mizoram and is headquartered in Siaha in the southern part of the state.

The council has 25 elected and three nominated members.

In the last council poll held in May 2017, the Congress won a simple majority of 17 seats, while the MNF and Mara Democratic Front (MDF) coalition won seven seats. An independent candidate also won one seat.

Later, MDF members joined the BJP when the party merged with the Saffron Party on ethnic grounds.
The BJP now has 17 members in the 25-member council, MNF (6) and Congress (2). The council often observed deviations due to the absence of anti-deviation laws.