Mizoram election results 2023 highlights: ZPM makes a clean sweep with 27 seats, Lalduhoma set to be CM

Outgoing Mizoram CM Zoramthanga said, "Because of the anti-incumbency effect and the people are not satisfied with my performance so I lost... I accept the verdict of the people and I hope that the next government will perform well... It (the reason) is the anti-incumbency and Covid onslaught."

Congress’s campaign was mainly centred on an anti-BJP plank, portraying both the MNF and ZPM as “entry points” for the BJP into the Christian-majority state. By contesting just 23 seats, the BJP had hoped to play a role in government formation. The Congress had also raked up the Manipur crisis against the BJP in its poll campaign, attributing it to the alleged mismanagement by the BJP in the Northeast. The MNF, too, hoped the Manipur crisis will boost its poll prospects.

Mizoram’s political landscape has been dominated by the Congress and the Mizo National Front (MNF) since it attained full statehood in 1987. Zoramthanga of the MNF became Chief Minister after the 1998 Assembly polls, ending Congress’s 10-year rule. The MNF governed for a decade until Congress won in 2008 and 2013. Returning to power in 2018, MNF aims for another victory in the 40-member Assembly this year.

ZPM: 27
MNG:9
BJP:2
Cong: 1

Chief Minister Zoramthanga is expected to meet with Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati today evening, where he is likely to submit his resignation in the aftermath of his party's poor performance in the assembly polls, as per officials.

Prominent losses include Mizoram deputy chief minister and MNF candidate Tawnluia who lost to ZPM candidate in Tuichang, Health Minister and MNF candidate R Lalthangliana who lost to ZPM's Jeje Lalpekhlua in South Tuipui and Rural Development Minister Laruatkima who lost to ZPM nominee Lalnghinglova Hmar in Aizawl West II.

Discussing the BJP's performance, the state party chief, Vanlalhmuaka, expressed that the outcome is somewhat surprising for the party.
"...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..." he said.

Proving exit polls’ prediction of a hung assembly wrong, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) is set to form the government as it as crossed the half-way mark, and has already won 26 seats

ZPM leader Lalduhoma has been seen by the people as the face of Zo unification in the state.

The BJP had won only one seat in the 2018 state Assembly election.

Lalduhoma is not new to politics. He was the security in-charge of former prime minister the late Indira Gandhi. He retired from the services in 1984 and joined the Congress. He was also the first MP to be disqualified under the anti-defection law in 1988 after he resigned from the Congress.

Baryl Vanneihsangi of ZPM has secured victory in the Aizawl South - III seat, becoming the fifth woman ever to be elected to Mizoram's legislative assembly. Notably, she was one of the 16 women candidates in the fray this time.

BJP state President Vanlalhmuaka said that BJP has progressed a lot in Mizoram under the leadership of PM Modi and JP Nadda. "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," he said.

“In 2018, we were getting only 1 seat but now we are about to get 3 seats, we have already secured 2…” Vanlalhmuaka added.

- Mizoram Health Minister and MNF candidate R Lalthangliana faced defeat against ZPM's Jeje Lalpekhlua in the South Tuipui constituency.

- Lalnghinglova Hmar of ZPM emerged victorious in the Aizawl West-II constituency, defeating state cabinet minister Lalruatkima.

-In Tuichang, ZPM's W. Chhuanawma prevailed over the incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia. Presently, ZPM is leading in 17 seats, followed by MNF with 11 seats, BJP with two seats, and Congress with one seat.

-Notably, after the initial round of counting, Zoramthanga is currently trailing in the race.

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.

Congress leader C Ngunlianchunga is leading in Lawngtlai West, according to the EC.

Dr Vanlalthlana, the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) candidate from Aizawl North-II, said the party's repeated call for a change was well received. He said, “People have shown their mandate. We have talked to people again and again, and shouted that Mizoram needs a change."

ZPM’s VL Zaithanzama has won in the key constituency of Aizawl West-III, beating Congress’ Lalsawta and MNF’s K Sawmvela.

BJP candidate K Hrahmo won the Palak Assembly constituency defeating his MNF rival K T Rokhaw by 1,241 votes.

"Mizoram is facing financial crises. That is what we are going to inherit from the outgoing government. We are going to fulfill our commitment.
Financial reform is necessary, and for that, we are going to make a resource mobilisation team. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will meet the Governor. Swearing-in will be within this month," said ZPM’s chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma.

ZPM Vice-president Dr Kenneth Chawngliana said, “I think we’ll form the government with the absolute majority. (After winning) our main priority will be agriculture, to be self-sufficient in food production and then electricity and communication and our young generation’s affairs…”

Mizoram Health Minister R Lalthangliana loses to ZPM's Jeje Lalpekhlua in South Tuipui seat, says EC

As per the latest trend available, ZPM has cornered nearly 40% of the total votes polled, while the ruling MNF polled less than 35% of the total votes. The Congress received over 20% of the vote share.

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.

Two more ZPM candidates have secured victory. In Kolasib, ZPM's Lalfamkima defeated MNF's K Lalrinliana by 1,169 votes. In South Tuipui, Jeje Lalpekhlua of the ZPM beat R Lalthangliana (MNF) by a slender margin of 135 votes.

"People have shown their mandate. We have talked to people again and again, and shouted that Mizoram needs a change," said Dr Vanlalthlana, ZPM candidate from Aizawl North-II, as party continues to lead in the state.

ZPM party workers and supporters have begun celebrations in Serchhip constituency as the party registers a strong lead in the Assembly elections, winning 14 seats and leading in 12.

ZPM-26

MNF-10

BJP-3

Congress-1

Lalnghinglova Hmar records ZPM's second win in Aizawl West-II

The ZPM’s Lalnghinglova Hmar has brought in the party’s second win for the day from the Aizawl West-II constituency. Both the seats in which ZPM’s wins have been declared so far has been against sitting ministers: Hmar has defeated state cabinet minister Lalruatkima while W. Chhuanawma defeated incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia from Tuichang.

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.

ZPM candidate from Aizawl West-II, Lalnghinglova Hmar has won the seat. He beat MNF's Lalruatkima by 4,819 votes.

More than 4,000 personnel will be involved in the counting process.

The ABP news-C Voter analysis has given 15-21 seats to the MNF and 12-18 seats to the ZPM, while the Congress and BJP are predicted to get 2-8 and 0-5 seats, respectively. Jan Ki Baat gave MNF 10-14 seats and ZPM 15-25 seats. India Today-Axis My India was the exit poll analysis which gave the ZPM a clear majority, predicting 28-35 seats to the party, while only 3-7 seats for the incumbent MNF.

ZPM leader Lalduhoma is not new to politics. He was the security in-charge of former prime minister the late Indira Gandhi. He retired from the services in 1984 and joined the Congress. He was also the first MP to be disqualified under the anti-defection law in 1988 after he resigned from the Congress. Before the formation of the ZPM, he had been elected as MLA in 2003 from Zoram Nationalist Party which he had floated.

Deputy Chief Minister and MNF candidate Tawnluia lost to ZPM candidate in the Tuichang Assembly seat, according to the Election Commission.

With 1 MLA, the BJP is a bit player in the state, but it received a boost recently with two senior MLAs — sitting Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo and K Beichhua — joining the party from the MNF. It is also focusing on allegations of corruption against the incumbent government. “Modiji has given a lot of development funds, but these are not reaching the people because of corruption. First, we need to arrest this corruption… Our intention is to address the smuggling issue in the state, as well as provide jobs to all our farmers. We have the highest debt in the entire country because this state doesn’t produce anything,” said state BJP president Vanlalhmuaka.

The state has a population of around 13 to 14 lakh, as per reports (it was 10.91 lakhs as per the 2011 census). Nearly 95 percent of the population descends from tribal origin, making up for the highest concentration of tribal people among all states. Most seats here are designated for Scheduled Tribes.

For the BJP, making an inroad into Mizoram has also been challenging, for its focus is on the non-Christian minority communities. A

Following two rounds of counting, K Beichhua of the BJP, an ethnic minority Mara leader who switched allegiance from the MNF just before the elections, is currently leading in the Saiha constituency. Saiha, known for its significant ethnic minority population, is a focal point for the BJP, especially considering the party's challenge in making inroads among the predominantly Christian Mizo community.

Mamit- H LALZIRLIANA (total votes 2,503)
Lengteng- L THANGMAWIA (total votes 2,679)
Tuichang - TAWNLUIA (total votes 3,328)
East Tuipui - Ramthanmawia (total votes 1,559)
Lunglei West- C LALRINSANGA (total votes 648)
West Tuipui - PROVA CHAKMA (total votes 2,255)

More than 8.57 lakh electorates, including 4,39,026 women, decided the fate of 174 candidates in the polls.

Deputy CM Tawnluia currently leads from Tuichang assembly seats. Counting of votes is underway in 40 seats.

Since 1987, when Mizoram held its first Assembly election, the state has only seen two faces from two parties, Lal Thanhwala from the Congress and Zoramathanga of the Mizo National Front (MNF), as the CM candidate.

The data from the Election Commission of India reveals that 81.25 percent of women voters have been documented, surpassing the 80.04 percent recorded for male voters.

In 2018, MNF had ousted the Congress from power by winning 26 seats. A new regional party, ZPM, which was formed a year earlier, had come a surprise second winning 8 seats. BJP made its debut in the Christian-majority state by winning a lone seat.

-Aizwal-East: Zoramthanga (MNF)
-Aizawl West: Lalsawta (Congress)
-Serchhip: Lalduhoma (ZPM)
-Siaha: K Beichhua (BJP)
- Hachchek: Lalrindika Ralte (Congress)

Nazuk Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, said, "We started at 8 am 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..."

Congress leading in Palak constituency
BJP-1
ZPM-1
Congress-1

The halls have been set up at 13 centres. Postal ballots are over, now votes polled in the EVMs are being counted. Aizawl has three counting centres which will cover 12 seats.

All the polls predicted a hung Assembly with ruling Mizo National Front, which had won 27 of the 40 seats last time, struggling to cross halfway mark this time.

Tallying of postal ballots is underway, with ZPM in lead in 11 seats, MNF at 8 and Congress at 5.

-- He has done his BA from North East Hill University
-- An IPS officer, he was the security in-charge for Indira Gandhi
-- Resigned from the service in 1984 and joined Congress
-- Was elected as Lok Sabha MP

MNF – Chief Minister Zoramthanga (Aizawl East-1), Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia (Tuichang)
ZPM – Lalduhoma (Serchhip), VL Zaithanzama (Aizawl West-III)
Congress – state chief Lalsawta (Aizawl West-III), Lal Thanzara (Aizawl North-III)
BJP – state chief Vanlalhmuaka (Dampa), Lalrinliana Sailo (Mamit)

MNF is banking Zo sentiments, while Cong is relying on fears of creeping Hindutva in the Christian-majority state. ZPM, the new player, is banking on voter fatigue and a corruption-free image

ZPM edges past MNF in initial trends. The Mizo National Front currently leads on 4 seats, while the Zoram People’s Movement is leading in 6 seats.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga said his party does not have an alliance with the BJP in the state, and its support to NDA at the Centre is "issue-based," adding that there won't be any hung assembly in the state

Mizoram is one of the few states in the Northeast where BJP is not yet a major player. The ruling MNF is a part of the NDA at the Centre.

Zoramthanga's Mizo National Front has lead on 4 seats while ZPM is close second with leads on 3 seats. These are early trends

These are very early trends. But the numbers have started rolling.

MNF has ruled this state for a decade until Congress stopped its run in 2008 and 2013. MNF returned in 2018 and is eyeing another victory in the 40-member Assembly.

Mizoram’s political landscape has been dominated by Congress and MNF since its statehood in 1987.

Counting was set to start on Sunday morning but Ec received several representations from various quarters requesting for a change in the date of counting on the ground that 3rd December, 2023 being a Sunday is of special significance for Mizoram people.

The elections to 40-member Mizoram Assembly are seen as a three-way contest, with the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) eyeing another term, and Congress hoping for a comeback after a poor show in 2018 and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) as the new player