Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January - June 2019), p. 44-53 Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies ISSN: 2456-3757 Vol. 04, No. 01 A Journal of Pachhunga University College Jan.-June, 2019 (A Peer Reviewed Journal) Open Access https://senhrijournal.ac.in DOI: 10.36110/sjms.2019.04.01.006 AN OVERVIEW OF 2019 LOK-SABHA ELECTION & BYE-POLL OF AIZAWL WEST-I IN MIZORAM Joseph C. Lalremruata Department of Political Science, Government Mamit College, Mamit, Mizoram Email: [email protected] Joseph C. Lalremruata: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6165-9691 ABSTRACT After the then Mizo Hills District was elevated to Union Territory status, Mizoram was allotted one seat in Lok Sabha. The territory witnessed the first Parliamentary elections since the Fifth Lok Sabha polls, held in 1972. Till 2019, Parliamentary elections were held thirteen times in Mizoram. This paper analyzed the 17th Lok Sabha election of Mizoram Parliamentary constituency and Aizawl West-I Assembly bye-poll held on April 11, 2019. Nomination of candidates, campaign strategy, polling and vote counting had been highlighted. Besides, some controversial issues happened during elections were also highlighted. Keywords: Lok-Sabha Election, By-poll, Aizawl West-I, Show Cause Notice, CAB, Mizoram CEO. In the 2018-Mizoram State to be held on April 11, 2018, along with Legislative Assembly polls held on Mizoram Lok-Sabha Parliamentary November 28, Zoram People‟s Movement constituency election. The Lok Sabha (ZPM) Chief Ministerial candidate, election was a six-cornered contest, while Lalduhoma was elected in two the Aizawl West-I bye-poll witnessed a constituencies, namely, Serchhip and Aizawl triangular contest from three candidates, West-I. He vacated Aizawl West-I namely, Zothantluanga (Mizo National constituency while he was retaining Front), independent nominee Lalbuanga Serchhip constituency. So, bye-election for Sailo, supported by ZPM-Congress combine Aizawl West-I constituency was scheduled and Rev. Zaichhawna Hlawndo (Zoramthar), © SJMS, 2019 44 Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January - June 2019), p. 44-53 who was also contesting as independent. In Secretary, Lalnghinglova Hmar (41 year 2018-State Legislative Assembly election, old), who was contesting as independent Zoram People‟s Movement (ZPM) Chief candidate. The BJP had contested Lok Ministerial candidate defeated his nearest Sabha election for the first time in Mizoram opponent, K. Sangthuama, an MNF and fielded its State Vice President, candidate and former Minister of State in the Nirupam Chakma (59 year old) whereas previous MNF ministry (2003 to 2008) by a PRISM nominated former Indian Navy margin of 1060 votes. Chief Petty officer, TBC Lalvenchhunga (36 year old), who was the youngest among Before 1972, there was no separate candidates. Two independent candidates, parliamentary seat allotted for Mizoram, namely, Lalhriatrenga Chhangte (55 year being a District of Assam State. However, old), who filed criminal case against former Mizoram witnessed Lok Sabha and Rajya Chief Minister and State Pradesh Congress Sabha elections since 1972 with the Committee, Lal Thanhawla last year (2018) attainment of Union Territory status. When and a Mizo Jewish woman leader, the Mizo Hills District of Assam State was Lalthlamuani (63 year old) was also elevated to a Union Territory in 1972, contesting the election. The key contest was renaming the district as Mizoram and the between the MNF and ZPM-Congress territory was allotted one seat in Lok Sabha combine. No doubt, the Citizenship and Rajya Sabha respectively. The whole of Amendment Bill held the key polls issue in Mizoram was formed one Parliamentary the 2018-Mizoram Parliamentary Constituency and the Fifth Lok Sabha constituency election. While MNF, ZPM- election held in 1972 was the first Congress combine and PRISM candidates parliamentary elections held in Mizoram. vowed to fight against the bill if re- Out of the total voters 156,898, the total introduced in the Parliament, two votes polled was 113,819 and the poll independent and BJP candidates were silent percentage was 72.60. There were five over the issue. While the ruling MNF was candidates and Sangliana, Mizo Union hopeful of winning the poll by taking candidate, won the said election securing advantage of being a ruling party in the 42.29% from the total valid votes polled State, ZPM-Congress combine was also (Singh, 2016). confident of victory because of its „people Candidates for the 17th Lok-Sabha Polls candidate‟ tag. Ever since Mizoram had its of Mizoram first Lok Sabha seat after becoming a Union Territory in 1972, oppositions had won only For the 17th Lok Sabha election of twice. Out of the total 4,28,018 votes cast in Mizoram parliamentary constituency, the the 2014-Lok Sabha election in Mizoram, ruling party MNF fielded former Director the then ruling Congress party had a vote General of Doordarshan, C. Lalrosanga (62 share of 49.17% against the 47.73% secured year old) and ZPM-Congress combine by United Democratic Front (UDF) formed projected a sport journalist and Mizoram by MNF and other opposition parties (The Football Association (MFA) Honorary Mizoram Post, April 10, 2019). © SJMS, 2019 45 Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January - June 2019), p. 44-53 BJP and Chakma Candidate Secession Bill” as its poll plank in the said Lok Sabha election. A letter issued by the With regard to appointment of State Addl. CEO said, “The said matter candidate, BJP Mizoram unit expressed its pertains to your party and the issues raised disappointment over the BJP Centre‟s involved questions on the unity and integrity decision to field a Chakma candidate against of the country. It has also been observed that the State Unit‟s proposal to field a Mizo earlier statements issued by your party in candidate in the said Mizoram Lok Sabha Aizawl and Champhai districts openly polls. BJP Mizoram Unit President, Prof. spoken about secession from India” (The J.V Hluna said that the State BJP made a Mizoram Post, March 23, 2019). proposal to field a Mizo candidate, which was sternly rejected by the central leadership In its notice, the State CEO‟s office on the ground that the Mizo people did not also endorsed the news report of a wholeheartedly welcome BJP and fielding a Bangalore based Deccan Herald under a Mizo candidate would be meaningless. headline “Mizoram‟s Sailor (PRISM Hluna said that his party had proposed candidate) to contest on State‟s secession as former State BJP President and senior poll plank” and clipping of some local advocate Ramtiama for the party‟s newspaper which showed the desire of the candidate, but, they were surprised and party for secession from India. “In the light strongly dissatisfied with the BJP Centre‟s of the above, you are hereby directed to decision for nominating a Chakma candidate clarify the position of your party on the said by ignoring their proposal of fielding a Mizo matter for further necessary action at our candidate. Many Mizos, including the BJP end. Your reply should reach the CEO office workers would be reluctant to vote a within 24 hours of receipt of this letter”, the Chakma candidate as there was growing letter from CEO office asked PRISM anti-Chakma feeling in the State due to President. At the same time, PRISM illegal migrant and Citizenship President, Vanlalruata said that they decided (Amendment) Bill issues, he added (The to move Secessionist Bill to oppose the Mizoram Post, March 3, 2019). Citizenship Bill as it was against secularism and clashed with the unity and integrity of PRISM Party and Show Cause Notice the country (The Mizoram Post, March 3, Mizoram CEO‟s office, on March 2019). 22, 2019, served a show cause notice to the Campaigning People‟s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) regarding its In fact, MNF candidate, C. poll plank to move secessionist bill in the Lalrosanga and independent candidate, Parliament. In a letter addressed to the party Lalnghinglova Hmar, who was supported by president, Vanlalruata, Mizoram Additional ZPM-Congress combine, were the main CEO, Krishna Mohan Uppu cited some contenders in the said lone Lok Sabha seat media reports which said that the PRISM in Mizoram. C. Lalrosanga, who was would use introduction of “Right to contesting his first election, said that © SJMS, 2019 46 Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January - June 2019), p. 44-53 development of roads and communication ended at 5:00 pm on April 9, 2019. Mizoram facilities were his priority issues. “Providing would go to the polls, along with 18 States jobs to youths and skill development were and 2 Union Territories, on April 11, 2019 the other important issues which would be and result would be declared on May 23, taken up seriously if I won the election,” he 2019. The State had a total of 7,87,777 said. Lalnghinglova Hmar, said, “I am electorates including six transgender voters. personally and my sponsoring parties – There were 3,331 Persons with Disability Congress and ZPM were vehemently against (PWD) voters and 4,687 service voters. The the Citizenship Amendment Bill.” Both of electorates would cast their votes at 1,175 these two candidates said that the polling stations across the State where Citizenship Amendment Bill would EVMs would be used. Besides, the Election jeopardize the demography of the Commission of India had set up 15 special indigenous tribals, who constituted 27 to polling stations at Kanhmun village on 28% of the 45.58 million population in Mizoram-Tripura border, where 12,081 Bru North-East India. Lalthlamuani, a Mizo refugee voters would cast votes (Newslink, Jewish leader said, “Despite women April 10, 2019). electorates outnumbering men in Mizoram Vanglaini and Show Cause Notice for decades, women were lagging behind in every governing and policy making bodies Speaking to reporters at press and legislative platforms.