Aizawl: Mizoram’s main Opposition party, Mizo National Front (MNF), on Friday (November 14) retained the Dampa Assembly seat in Mamit district, with its candidate R. Lalthangliana defeating his nearest rival, Vanlalsailova of the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), by a margin of 562 votes.
According to the Election Commission, Lalthangliana secured 6,981 votes, which is 40.23% of the total vote share. With 6,419 votes, Vanlalsailova bagged 36.61% of the total polled votes.
“My victory is not for me, but for the people of Dampa constituency. I give all the credit to God Almighty, who has prepared a way for me. God did everything for me, and I am just an instrument,” Lalthangliana said after winning the election.
“From the very first round of counting, the MNF maintained a clear lead. While the ruling ZPM settled into second position, the ZPM candidate Vanlalsailova was unable to leverage the ruling party’s influence to sway voters in the constituency,” said Lallenmawia Jongte, MNF’s media and publicity secretary.
Congress nominee John Rotluangalian stood third, securing 2,394 votes, while BJP candidate Lalhmingthanga clinched fourth place, securing 1,541 votes. People’s Conference Party candidate K. Zahmingthanga secured 50 votes.
Lalthangliana was a Cabinet Minister holding different portfolios, including health and commerce and industries, in the last MNF dispensation headed by Zoramthanga.
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The by-election was necessitated by the demise of the sitting MLA, Lalrintluanga Sailo, on July 21 this year. Polling for the Dampa Assembly seat was held on November 11, 2025, with 83.07% of the 20,888 eligible voters casting their ballots.
In the last Assembly polls held in November 2023, Sailo defeated his nearest opponent, Vanlalsailova, by a margin of 292 votes.
