Five candidates will contest the by-election for the Dampa Assembly constituency in Mizoram’s Mamit district, Chief Electoral Officer Dr Lalrozama confirmed. None of the nominees withdrew their nomination papers on Friday, the last day for withdrawal.

The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has fielded Mizo singer and preacher Vanlalsailova, while the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) has nominated its senior vice president and former Health Minister Dr R. Lalthangliana. The Congress has chosen party vice president and former Transport Minister John Rotluangliana, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has put forward Lalhmingthanga, a recent entrant to the party. The People’s Conference, founded by former Chief Minister Brig T. Sailo, has fielded its vice president K. Zahmingthanga.

The by-election, scheduled for November 11, was necessitated by the death of incumbent MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21. Counting of votes will take place on November 14.

The Dampa bypoll is considered politically significant. For the ZPM, it will serve as a test ahead of the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) and Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections later this year. For the MNF, losing the seat could reduce its strength in the 40-member assembly and affect its claim to the post of Leader of Opposition, which requires at least 10 members; the MNF currently has nine following Sailo’s demise.

A total of 20,790 voters, including 10,185 women, are eligible to vote across 41 polling stations. Meanwhile, the first round of training for polling personnel was conducted in Mamit town on Friday, covering polling procedures, station arrangements, required forms, and EVM usage.