The Mizo National Front (MNF) successfully retained the Dampa assembly seat in Mamit district, with its candidate R Lalthangliana emerging victorious over Vanlalsailova of the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) by a margin of 562 votes in the bypoll held on November 11, the Election Commission announced on Friday. R Lalthangliana secured 6,981 votes, accounting for 40.23 per cent of the total vote share, while his closest rival, Vanlalsailova, garnered 6,419 votes (36.61 per cent). Congress candidate John Rotluangalian finished third with 2,394 votes, followed by BJP nominee Lalhmingthanga with 1,541 votes. The People’s Conference Party candidate, K Zahmingthanga, polled 50 votes.
The bypoll witnessed a robust voter turnout of 83.07 per cent, with 20,888 electors casting their votes. The Dampa seat fell vacant after the passing of sitting MNF legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21 this year. Notably, in the 2023 assembly elections, Sailo had defeated Vanlalsailova by a narrower margin of 292 votes, indicating a slightly increased lead for the MNF this time.
R Lalthangliana, a seasoned politician and former cabinet minister in the Zoramthanga-led MNF government, previously held key portfolios including Health, Commerce, and Industries. His victory is seen as a continuation of MNF’s influence in the region, consolidating its position ahead of future electoral battles in Mizoram.
