AIZAWL, Nov 4: Mizoram’s Aizawl, Saitual, and Kolasib districts are gearing up for Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) election on November 5, with 49 candidates, including one woman, vying for 12 council seats.
In this election, Aizawl district has six constituencies with 19 polling stations, Kolasib has two constituencies with seven polling stations, and Saitual has four constituencies with 12 polling stations. The updated voter roll, published on September 30, lists 23,789 eligible voters, with 11,875 males and 11,914 females, marking a 2,875 increase from the 2019 election.
The official campaign period ended on Sunday at 4 p.m., with final gatherings on Saturday in deference to Mizoram’s traditional Sunday Church day. Following Sunday, a strict ban on campaign activities was implemented until polling ends.
Mizoram State Election Commissioner H Lalthlangliana also ordered non-local campaigners to leave SHC constituencies, and inter-state and inter-district borders were sealed to prevent any disturbances. Due to its proximity to Assam and Manipur, the SHC area has been deemed sensitive, prompting security reinforcements. Kolasib district’s seven polling stations, along with six in Aizawl and three in Saitual, have been classified as critical.
Established in 2019, the Sinlung Hills Council covers an area with a population of 30,160 across 31 villages within three rural development blocks. The region has a literacy rate of 94.68%, with 95.27% of residents belonging to Scheduled Tribes.
In the political lineup, the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has fielded eight candidates, including current Chief Executive Member Laivenhima Hmar and Chairman HC Lalmalsawma. ZPM has partnered with the Hmar People Convention (HPC), contesting in four constituencies. Meanwhile, Congress has candidates in all 12 constituencies, the Mizo National Front (MNF) is competing in 10, BJP has one candidate, and 14 independents, two of whom have MNF support, are also in the race.
