Dampa constituency gears up for Nov 11 bypoll with 5 candidates in fray

Aizawl: Five candidates are in the fray for the upcoming by-election to the Dampa assembly constituency in Mizoram’s north-western Mamit district, which borders Bangladesh. The last date for filing nominations ended at 3pm on Tuesday, state election officials said.People’s Conference (PC) party candidate K Zahmingthanga filed his nomination on Tuesday, becoming the fifth nominee for the bypoll scheduled for Nov 11. Scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on Wednesday, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is Friday.The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) candidate Vanlalsailova and BJP nominee Lalhmingthanga Sailo filed their nominations on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

Indian National Congress (INC) candidate John Rotluangliana and Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee R Lalthangliana submitted their papers on Saturday.The by-election was necessitated by the demise of sitting MNF legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21.A total electorate of 20,790 — comprising 10,605 male and 10,185 female voters — will decide the fate of the five candidates on Nov 11.State chief electoral officer (CEO) Lalrozama said on Tuesday preparations for the Dampa by-election are progressing smoothly, with no reported violations of the election model code of conduct (EMCC).

Of the 41 polling stations in the constituency, three — Silsury-1, Silsury-2, and Silsury-3 — have been identified as critical due to their proximity to the international border and their distance of 50km from the nearest police station at Marpara. “Three sections of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will be deployed to ensure free and fair polling,” Lalrozama said.He added that border fencing in the area remains incomplete and that weapons and explosives have previously been seized from the region.Silsury-1 has the highest number of electors at 1,103, while Zopui polling station, with just 30 voters, is the smallest. As Zopui is accessible only by foot and lacks electricity, special arrangements are being made in consultation with the Election Commission of India.