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Mizoram's Major Political Parties Urge EC To Change Vote Counting Date

Updated on: 12 October 2023 5:03 am

Representational image of counting of votes.

Mizoram's political landscape has come together in a rare show of unity, as all major parties, including the BJP, Congress, and the ruling MNF, have jointly penned letters to the Election Commission, requesting a change in the vote-counting date for the assembly elections. The concern centers around the currently scheduled date of December 3, which falls on a Sunday, a sacred day for Christians, who constitute approximately 87% of Mizoram's population according to the 2011 Census.

Joining the political parties in their appeal are the Zoram People's Movement and the People's Conference, underlining the broad consensus on this issue. Even the influential Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC), representing a conglomerate of major churches in the state, has added its voice to the plea, stressing the significance of Sundays for Christian communities where worship services are held across towns and villages, PTI reported

In a series of letters addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, the MKHC implored the Election Commission to consider the sanctity of Sundays for Christians and shift the date for vote counting. The BJP, in its communication, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need to respect the sacred nature of Sundays. Meanwhile, the MNF suggested a practical alternative by urging the EC to reschedule vote counting to December 4, which falls on a Monday.

State Congress president Lalsawta added his voice to the chorus, stressing the sacredness of Sundays in Mizoram. In his letter, he appealed to the Election Commission to honor the sentiments of the Mizo people and reschedule the vote counting to any day between Monday and Friday.