Mizoram opposition parties urge electoral body to postpone local polls

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The last date for filing nomination papers for village and local council polls is Tuesday. (File)

Aizawl, Mizoram:

The opposition Congress and the Mizoram BJP have urged the state election commission to postpone upcoming village and local council polls amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Monday, Congressional spokesman Lallianchhunga said the state was in such a situation where community spread of the coronavirus can take place at any time.

“We are of the opinion that holding the elections at this time is not safe for the people and many voters will not be going to the polls,” he said.

Mr Lallianchhunga said the party had asked the commission and the state government to postpone the upcoming polls in light of public health concerns.

Congress also said local council elections should not be conducted simultaneously with village council polls.

BJP State President Vanlalhmuaka said holding an election amid the pandemic would spell disaster.

He said the BJP would investigate the reasons for the “hasty decision” to hold the ballot box at this time and report its findings to the Union Home Ministry.

Mr. Vanlalhmuaka also criticized the state government for including Bru voters from Tripura on the electoral rolls.

He called on the state government to take steps to ensure that the names of Bru voters are removed from state voters lists as soon as possible.

Previously, the main ZPM opposition attacked the Zoramthanga government over the election announcement amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, State Elections Commissioner Laima Chozah said the next polls will be held as scheduled on August 27, unless there is a new order.

On the issue of Bru’s voters, an election official said their names would be removed from state electoral rolls once they were registered in Tripura and the Indian Election Commission would be informed of the matter.

The last date for submitting candidatures for the village and local council polls is Tuesday while the last date to withdraw is August 13.

The counting of the votes will take place on August 27 at the end of the ballot.

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