Preparation for Lok Sabha polls in Aizawl district in full swing

Preparation for election to Mizoram’s lone Lok Shabha seat is going on in full swing, an official said on Monday. Aizawl Deputy Commissioner Nazuk Kumar, who is also the Returning Officer, told a news conference on Monday that training for various official teams, who will deal with the upcoming Lok Shabha polls, in 12 assembly constituencies within Aizawl district has been more or less completed. She said that the first phase of training for polling parties will be conducted on March 26 and March 27.

24 master trainers will give training to the polling parties, she said. Randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs) has been completed and are being kept in strong rooms arranged for each assembly constituency, she said.  514 ballot units, 523 control units and 541 VVPATs have been arranged for Aizawl district in connection with the upcoming Lok Shabha polls, she said. Polling for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram will be held on April 19 and counting of votes will be held on June 4. The last date of filing nomination is 27 March, while candidates can withdraw their candidatures till March 30.

According to Kumar, a total of 2,90,058 electorates, including 1.53 lakh female voters will exercise their franchise in the upcoming Lok Shabha polls from Aizawl district. She said that there are 10,131 first time voters, 1,439 senior citizens (85 plus years) and 778 Person with Disabilities (PwD) voters.

There are 321 polling stations in Aizawl district, of which 48 (4 each in one assembly constituency) will be manned by women and 1 will be manned by differently abled persons. Home voting facility will be arranged for senior citizens (85 plus years) and PwD voters, who possess disability certificate, she said. Kumar said that efforts will be made to encourage voters to ensure better turn out. The deputy commissioner also sought public cooperation to ensure free and fair elections.