The first phase of high-stakes Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh and the single-phase polling in Mizoram have officially commenced today. While in the first phase, Chhattisgarh will vote for 20 seats out of the total 90-member assembly, Mizoram will undergo polling in a single phase for its 40-member assembly.
Chhattisgarh’s Crucial Face-off
In Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections, the battle lines are drawn between the incumbent Congress party and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), which sits in the opposition. Twenty out of the total 90 seats are up for grabs in this phase, with 223 candidates vying for the coveted victory. Moreover, a curtain-raiser to this contest, the second phase, is slated to commence on November 17, coinciding with single-phase polling in the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh.
Mizoram’s Political Nexus
Meanwhile, in Mizoram assembly elections, all eyes are on the outcome as 174 candidates contend for the 40 parliamentary seats. An impressive 850,000 voters are expected to make their voices heard at 1,276 polling stations today. Notably, Congress and BJP are not the prime contenders here. The state’s political arena is dominated by local parties—the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and the formidable Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM). All three major parties have fielded candidates for all 40 seats, while the BJP is in contention for only 23.
Leaders’ Resounding Appeals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a passionate plea to voters in both Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. He urged them to turn out in record numbers and “exercise their franchise to strengthen the festival of democracy”.
छत्तीसगढ़ में आज लोकतंत्र के पावन उत्सव का दिन है। विधानसभा चुनाव के पहले चरण के सभी मतदाताओं से मेरा अनुरोध है कि वे अपना वोट जरूर डालें और इस उत्सव के भागीदार बनें। इस अवसर पर पहली बार वोट डालने वाले राज्य के सभी युवा साथियों को मेरी विशेष बधाई!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2023
Union Home Minister Amit Shah too echoed these sentiments, encouraging Mizoram’s youth to “come out and vote in large numbers,” emphasizing that “each and every vote will lay the foundation for a developed and prosperous Mizoram.”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he said, “I urge our sisters and brothers in Mizoram, especially the youth to come out and vote in large numbers. Each and every vote will lay the foundation of a developed and prosperous Mizoram.”
Meanwhile, on polling in Chhattisgarh, he added, “I appeal to all the voters of the first phase of Chhattisgarh to vote in maximum numbers to elect a government dedicated to the welfare of the tribal society, farmers, poor and youth by ending the rule of corruption and scams from the state. Your valuable vote will create a bright future for Chhattisgarh.”
