Aizawl: The Mizoram State Election Commission (SEC) is expected to announce the election schedule for 544 village councils (VCs) and 111 local councils (LCs) across the state on Thursday, officials confirmed.
State Election Commissioner H Lalthlangliana stated that preparations are in full swing, with the elections set to take place before February 19, when the current terms of the village and local councils will expire.
The SEC is planning a press conference on Thursday to officially announce the dates for the elections.
According to the final voter list released by the SEC on January 8, there are a total of 4,37,708 registered electors, including 2,22,098 women, across 544 village councils in nine districts.
The elections in three autonomous council areas in southern Mizoram—Lawngtlai and Siaha districts—are held separately.
Additionally, the final rolls indicate that 2,44,726 voters, including 1,31,423 women, are registered in 87 local councils within the Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) area.
The Lunglei Municipal Council, covering 24 local councils, has 41,206 voters.
In response to administrative needs, the Mizoram government had issued notifications in November last year to curtail the terms of the village councils by six months, ensuring their tenures end by February 19.
Similarly, the terms for local councils were also reduced by six months in December.
The government’s decision to shorten the terms of the VCs and LCs has faced criticism from opposition parties.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma explained that the move was aimed at avoiding administrative gaps, which typically arise when council terms extend beyond the new financial year.
The government wants the VCs and LCs to be fully functional at the start of the new fiscal year.
Local Administration (LAD) Minister C. Lalsawivunga also justified the curtailment, citing the need for better management and effective use of funds.
In a separate development, the All Mizoram Village Councils Association (AMVCA) withdrew its petition challenging the government’s decision for the second time on Monday.
The AMVCA had filed a writ petition with the Gauhati High Court in December, seeking to contest the November order.
However, the association withdrew the petition after concerns arose that the court might not entertain it due to AMVCA’s lack of registration under the state government’s firm and society law.
As the election preparations intensify, the SEC is poised to finalise the schedule for these crucial local elections, which will shape the governance of the state’s rural and urban areas.
