Four candidates have officially filed their nominations for the upcoming Dampa assembly by-election in Mizoram, election officials confirmed on Sunday. The bypoll follows the untimely demise of MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21. The contest is shaping up as a four-way battle between Vanlalsailova of the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), R Lalthangliana of the Mizo National Front (MNF), Lalhmangaiha of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and John Rotluangliana of the Congress. Election authorities have set Tuesday as the final date for filing nominations, with scrutiny scheduled for Wednesday and withdrawal of candidatures by Friday. Polling is scheduled for November 11, with votes to be counted on November 14.
Dampa constituency has 20,790 registered voters spread across 41 polling stations. Silsury-I records the highest number of voters at 1,103, while Zopui has the lowest at just 30. Major parties are fielding strong candidates, while smaller parties and independents are largely staying out; the People’s Conference (PC) has confirmed it will not contest.
Among the candidates, R Lalthangliana of the MNF is the wealthiest, declaring assets worth Rs 17.19 crore, including Rs 3.23 crore in movable assets and Rs 13.96 crore in immovable assets. Congress candidate John Rotluangliana follows with declared assets exceeding Rs 15.37 crore. BJP’s Lalhmangaiha is the least wealthy, with total assets of Rs 46.53 lakh, while ZPM’s Vanlalsailova has movable assets of Rs 64.85 lakh and no immovable assets.
