New Delhi/Aizawl: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced that a by-election for the Dampa Assembly constituency in Mizoram’s Mamit district will be held on November 11, with counting scheduled for November 14.
The announcement was made by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, while unveiling the poll schedule for Bihar.
As per the timetable, the notification for the Dampa bypoll will be issued on October 13.
Nominations can be filed until October 21, scrutiny will take place on October 22, and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature is October 24.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21.
The contest is set to be a four-cornered battle, with all major political parties fielding candidates.
The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has nominated gospel singer and preacher Vanlalsailova, while the opposition MNF has fielded its senior vice-president and former health minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana.
The Congress has chosen its state vice-president and former minister John Rotluangaliana, and the BJP has put forward Lalhmingthanga, a former Congress leader who recently joined the saffron party.
With all four contenders actively campaigning, the Dampa seat is emerging as one of Mizoram’s most watched political contests.
Located along the Bangladesh border, the constituency has a sizable minority population, including Chakma and Reang communities.
According to the final electoral roll published on September 30, 20,790 voters, including 10,185 women, are eligible to cast their votes.
The Dampa seat was once a Congress bastion, having remained under its control for decades after Mizoram attained statehood in 1987.
However, the MNF wrested it in 2018, weakening the Congress’ presence in the area.
ALSO READ: Lawyer attempts to throw shoe at CJI in Supreme Court
State Congress president Lal Thanzara has expressed confidence in reclaiming the seat, citing the party’s historical support base in Dampa.
The outcome of the bypoll carries high stakes for both the ruling ZPM and the MNF.
For Chief Minister Lalduhoma’s ZPM, a victory would reinforce its political standing after coming to power for the first time in 2023, while a setback could signal early signs of discontent ahead of the 2028 state elections.
For the MNF, a win could rejuvenate the party and help it retain the Leader of Opposition status in the 40-member Assembly, which requires holding at least 10 seats.
