Aizawl, Nov 14: The Mizo National Front (MNF) retained the Dampa assembly constituency in Mizoram’s Mamit district after its candidate R Lalthangliana won the by-election held on November 11. As per the Election Commission, Lalthangliana secured 6,981 votes, defeating Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) candidate Vanlalsailova by 562 votes.

Lalthangliana claimed 40.23 percent of the total vote share, while Vanlalsailova obtained 6,419 votes, accounting for 36.61 percent. Congress candidate John Rotluangalian received 2,394 votes, followed by BJP’s Lalhmingthanga with 1,541 votes. K Zahmingthanga of the People’s Conference Party secured 50 votes.

The bypoll recorded a voter turnout of 83.07 percent from 20,888 registered voters. The seat fell vacant following the death of MNF legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21. In the 2023 assembly elections, Sailo had narrowly defeated ZPM’s Vanlalsailova by 292 votes.

Lalthangliana previously served as a cabinet minister in the MNF government led by Zoramthanga, handling portfolios including health and commerce and industries.