Voting for the 12-member Sinlung Hills Council election in Mizoram is currently underway, with polling having begun at 7 am in 38 booths. To ensure the smooth conduct of the election, 16 polling stations near the Assam and Manipur border have been declared “critical” and all entry points to the council area sealed.

A total of 23,789 voters, including 11,914 women, are eligible to cast their ballots in this election. Forty-nine candidates, including one woman, are vying for the 12 seats. The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM)-Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) combine and the Congress have each fielded 12 candidates, while the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) has fielded 10 candidates and the BJP one.

The Sinlung Hills Council was established on July 9, 2018, as a result of a peace accord between the Mizoram government and the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic). The council has 12 elected members and two nominated seats. Counting of votes will take place after 4 pm once all ballot boxes reach the constituency headquarters.