The Election Commission of India has revised the date for the counting of votes in Mizoram Assembly elections. The results were earlier scheduled to be announced on Dec 3.
The date for results has been shifted to Dec 4. The decision to revise the counting date comes amid protests in the state organised by Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC).
The group expressed displeasure over Dec 3 as the counting date falls on Sunday, a sacred day for Christians.
The Election Commission said they received several representations from various groups in the state requesting a change in the counting date on the ground that it falls on Sunday, a sacred day in Mizoram.
The Election Commission categorically stated that there is no change in any event or schedule of Assembly Elections of Mizoram or any other state.
Congresss Jairam Ramesh said the parties contesting the Mizoram election had asked for the date of counting to be shifted in the northeastern state from December 3 to the next day. He said the representations were made earlier but the Election Commission remained silent.
Five states including Mizoram, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, went to the polls, eyed as the semi-final to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Voting in Mizoram was conducted in a single phase on Nov 7. Mizoram has 40 Assembly seats and the majority mark is 21.
Counting in other states will be as per schedule on Dec 3.
Mizoram is expected to witness a high-stakes close battle between the Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) founded by former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Lalduhoma and the Mizo National Front (MNF) of Zoramthanga, who was once a leader of an insurgent group.
