Mizoram Chief Minister, Lal Thanhawla filed nominations from two assembly seats of Champhai South and Serchhip on Thursday, according to reports. Today is the last day for filing nominations.
Thanhawla could not file nomination papers from his home turf Serchhip on Tuesday due to the ongoing protests for the removal of State’s Chief Election Officer (CEO) S B Shashank, which were held in front of the office of the returning officer.
Thnhawla personally appeared before the returning officer on Nov 8 and his representative filed the papers on his behalf.
Thanhawla has been the Chief Minister of Mizoram five times. He will be contesting form the Serchhip seat against Zoram People’s Movement’s (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee C Lalramzauva, a senior advocate, and People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) party chief Vanlalruata among others.
In the Champhai South seat, Thanhawla would contest against another lawyer T J Lalnuntluanga of the MNF, and C Lalremliana of the ZPM, both first-timers.
Mizoram, which goes to poll on Nov 28, is the last bastion of the Congress in the northeast. It is notable here that the state has witnessed massive protests recently due to several NGOs and citizen groups demanding the removal of the election commission’s CEO SB Shashank from the state. A significant portion of the state citizenry has been opposed to the Bru refugees being given an opportunity to vote for Mizoram elections.
