The Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) elections in Mizoram ended in a hung verdict, with no party achieving a majority in the 25-member council. The Mizo National Front (MNF) emerged as the largest party, winning eight seats, followed by Congress with seven, the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) with six, the BJP with two, and two Independent candidates.

A majority requires 13 seats, leaving the council without a clear mandate. The polls, held on December 3, recorded a voter turnout of nearly 84 percent. ZPM contested all seats, while MNF fielded candidates in 20, Congress in 14, and BJP in 10 constituencies.

Notable outcomes included BJP Chief Executive Member N Zangura losing to MNF’s Premo Kanti by just eight votes. MNF chairman VL Hmuaka was defeated by Congress’s C Ngunlianchunga by 348 votes; Ngunlianchunga is also the current Congress MLA from Lawngtlai West.

Despite a pre-election understanding to support each other in forming the executive body, MNF and Congress contested against each other in several constituencies, raising questions about future collaboration.

The LADC, created in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, governs the Lai tribal community and comprises 25 elected and four nominated members.