AIZAWL: In view of the upcoming Mizoram assembly polls on November 7, the state has been turned into a fortress with tight security arrangements to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly and without any disruption.
To ensure peaceful polls, Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Madhup Vyas, on Wednesday, announced the deployment of over 3,000 local police personnel in addition to 5,400 jawans of the central armed police forces (CAPFs) in the state.
The CAPFs will comprises 10 companies of Border Security Force (BSF), and five companies each from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
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Highlighting the commitment of the poll panel, Vyas told the press, “Our primary objective is to guarantee a free, fair, and peaceful election. We have left no stone unturned in ensuring the security and safety of the people.”
Notably, Vyas also informed that arrangements have been made to have a helicopter on standby in Aizawl on the polling day, highlighting the level of preparedness.
Since the announcement of the election in the state, stringent checks have led to the seizure of cash, drugs, liquor, and other contraband items worth an impressive Rs 36.32 crore.
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The eagerly awaited polls, which will decide the fate of the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, are set to take place in a single phase.
However, the counting of votes will be held almost a month later, on December 3. This has sparked some controversy, with many political entities and groups expressing reservations about the counting date falling on a Sunday, a day deemed sacred by Christians.
Vyas mentioned that their concerns had been communicated to the Election Commission, though a response remains pending.
A total of more than 8.57 lakh voters are expected to exercise their democratic right, with a nearly even gender split. Of the 1,276 polling stations set up, 30 are flagged as critical by the electoral body.
