Polling for Mizoram’s 12-member Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) began early today, with 38 booths open for voters across the region. Voting commenced at 7 am under tight security, especially near critical areas along the Assam and Manipur borders, where authorities have sealed entry points to maintain order. According to officials, 23,789 voters—including 11,914 women—are eligible to participate in the election. Vote counting will take place after 4 pm once ballot boxes are secured at constituency headquarters.
A total of 49 candidates, including a woman, are competing for 12 seats. The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and its ally, the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC), have fielded candidates for all seats, with ZPM contesting eight and HPC four. The Mizo National Front (MNF) is contesting 10 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has entered one candidate. Fourteen independents, including two Hmar People’s Convention (Reformed) candidates backed by the MNF, are also in the race.
Established in July 2018 following a peace accord between the Mizoram government and the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic), the council governs 31 villages in the Hmar-majority region spanning Aizawl, Kolasib, and Saitual districts. The previous election in 2019 saw the MNF-HPC coalition secure 10 seats, with independents winning the remaining two.
