The Mizo National Front (MNF) is all set to capture power in Mizoram after a decade, having established leads in 25 of the 40 assembly constituencies, while the ruling Congress is ahead only in places, reports News18. Mizoram is the last bastion of the Congress in the northeast that comprises eight states, including Sikkim. The ruling Congress is leading in only six constituencies and trailing in almost all the other constituencies, which it had won in the 2013 polls. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is heading ahead in one constituency. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while its main Opposition, the Mizo National Front (MNF), got five and the Mizoram People’s Conference bagged one seat. The Congress and the MNF have ruled Mizoram since 1987. The BJP also has set its eyes on the state this time as all other northeastern states are now ruled either by the saffron party or others supported by it. Sikkim’s ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) is also friendly with the BJP. No party in the state has so far been able to form governments thrice in a row since 1987 when Mizoram became a full-fledged state. The Congress and the MNF fielded 40 candidates each while the BJP contested in 39 seats. The Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM), an alliance formed by two political parties and four groups, also contested in 35 seats. With inputs from PTI Follow all the latest updates from the Telangana Elections here Follow all the latest updates from the Mizoram Elections here Follow all the latest updates from the Chhattisgarh Elections here Follow all the latest updates from the Madhya Pradesh Elections here Follow all the latest updates from the Rajasthan Elections here **Follow Firstpost's coverage of the 2018 Vidhan Sabha Elections here**
Mizoram Election Results 2018 updates: Congress loses last North East bastion to MNF as Lal Thanhawla goes down
The Mizo National Front (MNF) is all set to capture power in Mizoram after a decade, having established leads in 25 of the 40 assembly constituencies, while the ruling Congress is ahead only in places.
 "Mizoram Election Results 2018 updates: Congress loses last North East bastion to MNF as Lal Thanhawla goes down")
Congress swept out of power by MNF
The MNF swept the Congress out of power, winning 26 seats in the 40-member Assembly. The grand old party, which dominated the 2013 elections, was reduced to single digits, winning only five seats.
MNF dominates day after taking early lead
The MNF pulled into an early lead around 10.30 am and never looked back as the Congress — under Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla — faltered and netted only a handful of seats.
R Lalzirlian wins from Tawi constituency.
Former home minister R Lalzirliana won a seat for the MNF from the Tawi constituency. Lalzirliana quit the Congress in September to join the MNF.
Input by Maria Lalramengi/ 101 Reporters
CM Lal Thanhawla goes down
Thanhawla has been Mizoram chief minister since 2008, long before Narendra Modi emerged on the national scene. In 2013, the Congress won 34 of 40 Assembly seats under his leadership. This time, the Congress has been reduced to single digits: winning only five seats. Thanhawla kicked off his career in 1966 as a member of the Mizo National Front, and switched to the Congress only a year later. Thanhawla earlier served as chief minister from 1984 to 1986 and then again from 1989 to 1998.
CM Lal Thanhawla defeated in both constituencies
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla was defeated in both the constituencies — Champai South and Serchhip — where he contested.
In Champai South, he was defeated by Mizo National Front’s TJ Lalnuntluanga by 1,049 votes while in Serchhip he was defeated by an Independent Lalduhoma by 410 votes.
Thanhawla, who was the Congress party’s Chief Minister for 10 years, had won the Serchhip seat last time by 734 votes.
— IANS
MNF with 26 of 40 seats after final tally
After the final tally of votes, the following is the verdict,
MNF – 26
Cong – 5
ZPM – 8
BJP – 1
Input from: Henry Khojol/ 101 Reporters
Celebration outside Mizo National Front (MNF) office in Aizawl
The party has won 14 seats out of 40 & is leading on 9 seats in Mizoram.
#WATCH: Celebration outside Mizo National Front (MNF) office in Aizawl. The party has won 14 seats out of 40 & is leading on 9 seats in Mizoram. #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/zJwcZKLbRh
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018
Recounting to take place at Tuivawl constituency
L Pianmawia requests a recounting as he trails by just three votes. MNF’s Lalchhandama Ralte leads with 5,207 votes.
Input by: Maria Lalramengi/101 Reporters
Current leads in the state
MNF chief Zoramthanga wins in Aizawl East-1
Victory celebrations ensue at Mizo Hnam Run (MNF office).
Input from: Henry Khojol/ 101 Reporters
MNF’s liquor ban promise and ZPM axes Congress’ comeback
One of the factors which has helped the Mizo National Front (MNF) in putting forth a good show seems to be the ruling Congress government’s decision to lift the ban on liquor.
Significantly, Mizoram had been a dry state for 17 years until the Congress government decided to do away with it in the year 2014. The Mizoram government replaced Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act (MLTPA), with Mizoram Liquor Prohibition and Control Act. The move faced stiff opposition from the Church organisations that hold immense power in the Christian state.
On the other hand, the MNF took liquor ban as it’s main issue, promising a ban its sale if voted to power. It seems to have helped the MNF to slide to power.
Another factor which seems to have helped the MNF in the Mizoram Assembly election seems to be the Zoram people’s movement, which picked up momentum in the state. Significantly Zoram People’s Movement is an electoral alliance of seven parties which fielded candidates in 36 seats targeting non-Congress and non-MNF voters.
Read more here .
MNF crushes Congress, set to win Mizoram
The Mizo National Front (MNF) is all set to capture power in Mizoram after a decade, having established leads in 25 of the 40 assembly constituencies, while the ruling Congress is ahead only in places, reports News18.
Mizoram is the last bastion of the Congress in the northeast that comprises eight states, including Sikkim. The ruling Congress is leading in only six constituencies and trailing in almost all the other constituencies, which it had won in the 2013 polls.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is heading ahead in one constituency.
Counting is underway on all seats.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who contested from two constituencies — his home turf Serchhip and Champhai South — has lost in both, where MNF candidate TJ Lalnuntluanga is leading Champhai South seat by 100 votes after the fifth round of counting.
MNF candidates are leading in 21 constituencies, including Tuichang, East Tuipui, Kolasib, Champhai South seats.
Buddha Dhan Chakma, a former minister of the Congress government who just before the 28 November polls joined the BJP, is leading in Chakma tribals dominated Tuichawng constituency over his MNF rival.
Six candidates belonging to various local parties are leading in as many constituencies.
— With inputs from IANS
MNF’s Lalrinliana Sailo wins Chalfilh constituency
MNF’s Lalrinliana Sailo wins from Chalfilh constituency. The former Congress leader and the ex-health minister quit the Congress in October this year to join the MNF.
Constituency: Chalfilh
Round Final (Official)
INC – 4,124
MNF – 5,486
ZPM – 4,468
BJP – 678
Nota – 81
Input from: Maria Lalramengi/ 101 Reporters
ZPM’s C Lalsawivunga wins Aizawl South 1
ZPM’s C Lalsawivunga wins Aizawl South 1 with 6,129 votes while MNF’s K Liantlinga comes second with 4,846 votes.
Others:
INC – 3,452
Zoram Thar – 40.
PRISM – 56
Input from: Maria Lalramengi/ 101 Reporters
Mandate shows failure of Congress, will support MNF from outside: ZPM spokesperson
“Mizo people wanted a change and they voted for MNF and ZPM. This mandate shows the failure of Congress and we are happy to see this. There is no good road and the state is addicted to drugs and alcohol. MNF is getting a clear mandate and we are winning in at least three seats. We are going to support MNF from outside but won’t be a part of the government,” says Upa Dawngkima, spokesperson of Zoram People’s Movement
Input by: Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha/ 101 Reporters
CM Lal Thanhawla loses Serchhip to ZPM’s Lalduhoma
Serchhip final results:
INC – 5,071
MNF – 4,313
ZPM – 5,471
ZRT – 278
PRISM – 29
BJP – 211
NOTA – 41
Input from: Henry Khojol/101 Reporters
MNF leads on 25 seats, on course to form the government
MNF’s Lalchhandama Ralte wins Tuivawl constituency
After final counting in the Tuivawl constituency MNF’s Lalchhandama Ralte has won with 5,207 votes, while L Pianmawia lost by 3 votes at 5,204. ZPM secured 1,083 votes, BJP 1,607 and Zoramthar 58.
Input from: Maria Lalramengi/101 Reporters
PRISM, contesting only 13 seats, performs poorly
People’s Right to Information and Development Implementation Society of Mizoram (PRISM), an anti-corruption watchdog which converted to a political party last year in November hasn’t fared well. The party is contesting only 13 seats. Vanlalruata, PRISM leader contesting from Aizawl North 1 and Serchhip has won only 14 and 11 votes respectively from the constituencies as of now.
Input from: Team 101 Reporters
Official ECI trends:
– Mizo National Front (MNF) leading on 21 seats
– Congress leading on 4 seats
– BJP leading on 1 seat
– Independents on 7 seats
Official ECI trends: Mizo National Front leading on 21 seats, Congress leading on 4 seats, BJP leading on 1 seat, and Independents on 7 seats in Mizoram. #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/6zpdlcD2GG
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018
CM Lal Thanhawla loses from Champhai South seat
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has lost from Champhai South seat, MNF’s TJ Lalnuntluanga has won.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has lost from Champhai South seat, MNF's TJ Lalnuntluanga has won #MizoramElections2018
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018
ZPM one of the reasons behind our defeat: Congress spokesperson
“Trend shows that MNF is forming the government with a clear majority but we are in second. Zoram People’s Movement is one of the reasons behind our defeat. The voters who supported Congress in the last two elections have voted for ZPM this time… We congratulate BJP for opening account in the state, hopefully they win at least one,” says Prof Maliana, Mizoram Congress spokesperson,
Input by: Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha/ 101 Reporters
INC leading in Aizawl West 1
Aizawl West 1, Round 2 counting is over. INC’s Pc Laltlansanga is now leading by 122 votes. He has 4,765 votes while ZPM’s Lalduhoma is trailing behind with 4,643 votes.
Input from: Maria Lalramengi/101 Reporters
MNF set to unseat Congress
The Mizo National Front (MNF) looked set to unseat the Congress in Mizoram, the only state in the northeast the Congress was ruling. The MNF is now leading in 25 of the 40 seats, a clear indication that the Congress is set to lose power after a decade. Congress candidates are leading in seven seats.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is as trailing in both the constituencies he contested.
— IANS
We will form the government, will tie up with smaller parties if needed: MNF’s Zoramthanga
“People of Mizoram have suffered a lot under ten years of rule by the Congress party and the mandate clearly shows this. We are going to form the government alone with single majority. If the mandate comes in a different manner and we fall short of the required number, we’ll collaborate with smaller parties avoiding BJP and Congress,” says Zoramthanga, the leader of MNF. He has served as the Chief Minister of Mizoram from December 1998 to December 2008, for two consecutive terms.
Input from: Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha/ 101 Reporters
Willing to go with any party: BJP’s JV Hluna
“We are hopeful to win in three to five seats but we are going to be part of government anyway. Our party is open to go with any party because none of them will be able to form the government without our support, be it MNF or Congress. Development is our agenda and for this, we can go with Congress also,” says BJP party state president JV Hluna. Hluna is contesting from the Tawi constituency, where R Lalzirliana from MNF is leading.
Input from: Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha/ 101 Reporters
Sweets being distributed at Mizo National Front office (MNF) as the party leads in trends
Aizawl: Sweets being distributed at Mizo National Front office (MNF) as the party leads in trends in Mizoram. #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/BMbwTUCSC0
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018
MNF leading from Aizawl West – I
MNF leading from Aizawl West – I constituency. Candidate K Sangthuama is leading with 2,346 votes.
Input from: Maria Lalramengi/101 Reporters
MNF leading in 26 constituencies; CM Lal Thanhawla trailing
The opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) is leading in 26 constituencies, while the ruling Congress is leading in eight seats in Mizoram, according to News18. The BJP is leading in one seat in the state that has a 40-member assembly.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is trailing behind ZPM nominee Lalduhoma in the former’s home turf Serchhip in the first round of counting, the election department said. The CM is also contesting from Champhai South seat.
The lone woman minister of his cabinet, Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu, is also trailing behind former Assembly Speaker Lalchamliana in Hrangturzo seat.
Former Chief Minister and MNF president Zoramthanga is leading in Aizawl East-I seat against ZPM’s K Sapdanga.
The ZPM is an alliance formed by two political parties and four groups.
BJP nominee and former minister Dr Buddha Dhan Chakma is leading in Tuichawng seat.
Finance Minister Lalsawta is trailing in Aizawl East-II seat where Robert Romawia Royte of the MNF is leading.
— With inputs from Press Trust of India
ZPm leads in Aizawl South I
ZPM candidate C Lalsawivunga is leading with 4,904 votes in Aizawl South I constituency.
Input from: Maria Lalramengi/101 Reporters
MNF leads by a strong margin in Aizawl North III
Constituency: Aizawl North III
Round: I
INC – 1,647
MNF – 2,404
ZPM – 1,089
BJP – 14
ZORAMTHAR – 60
OTHERS – 18 (NOTA)
Input by: Maria Lalramengi/ 101 Reporters
MNF leads in Chalfilh constituency
Round: 1
INC – 1,583
MNF -1,879
ZPM – 1,196
BJP – 190
Input by: Maria Lalremengi/ 101 Reporters
MNF leads in 22 seats
After almost two hours of counting, MNF leads in 22 seats in Mizoram Assembly. Congress has so far gained six seats in the 40-seat Assembly, reports News18.
MNF leads in Champhai South
MNF’s TJ Lalnuntluanga leads from Champhai South with 755 votes after round 1. Incumbent CM Lalthanhawla trails behind again with 633 votes.
Input from: Adam Saprinsanga/101 Reporters
ZPM leads in Aizawl North 1 after first round of counting
ZPM is leading followed by the MNF in Aizawl North 1 after first round of counting.
Input from: Maria Lalremengi/ 101 Reporters
ZPM leads in Serchhip
In Serchhip, Lalduhoma from ZPM is leading with 2,187 votes while incumbent CM Lalthanhawla trails behind with 2,112 votes.
Input from: Adam Saprinsanga/101 Reporters
Counting ongoing in six constituencies
Counting of votes from six constituencies — Tuivawl, Chalfilh, Tawi, Aizawl North 1, Aizawl West 1 and Aizawl South 1 — is ongoing in the Pachhunga college hall.
Input from: Maria Lalramengi/ 101 Reporters
Congress leads in Tuivawl after first round of counting
Tuivawl (ST) is a State Assembly/Vidhan Sabha constituency in the Aizawl district and Aizawl region of Mizoram and is a part of the Mizoram Parliamentary/Lok Sabha constituency. INC won this seat in the 2013 Mizoram Assembly Elections, reports News18.
Round 1:
INC – 1,827
MNF – 1,727
ZPM – 127
MNF leads from the Aizawl West – I
MNF leads from the Aizawl West – I after the first round of counting.
Input from: Maria Lalramengi/ 101 Reporters
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