EC likely to change Mizoram poll dates

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission is likely to change the dates for assembly poll in Mizoram after political parties, NGOs and religious organisations requested for the same.

The polls to elect the 40-member state assembly were earlier slated on December 4 and counting will take place on December 8.

Political parties, churches and NGOs have sought a change in the dates of polling and counting of votes as the polling day coincides with the time when the Mizoram Synod, the highest decision-making body of the Presbyterian, will hold state-wide conference in Aizawl and the counting day falls on Sunday, a sacred day for Christians.

Sources said the Commission discussed the issue at its meeting today chaired by Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath and Election Commissioners H S Brahma and S N A Zaidi, which was also attended by other poll officials.

A final call on the issue will be taken tomorrow but sources said the Commission is likely to consider the request by various parties to prepone the polling in Christian- dominated Mizoram.

The parties and organizations in Mizoram sought that instead of polling on December 4 along with Delhi, it may be held on November 25 along with Madhya Pradesh polls and counting be taken up on December 6.

A Congress delegation had yesterday met the Commission and said "since this is the period of festivity in Mizoram when most voters will be busy in church conferences during the week, many of them will not be able to vote and it will result in "deprivation of their voting rights".

Several organisations and major political parties of Mizoram have already submitted memoranda to the EC seeking change of assembly poll dates.

The Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC), a conglomerate of leaders of 13 major churches in the state, has also pleaded with the EC to change the polling and counting dates.