Aizawl, Nov 24: Not a single vote was cast at the polling booth of Suangpuilawn Assembly constituency in Mizoram till 1200 hrs even as repoll began at 0700 hrs today, Election Department officials said. Repoll to the polling booth was ordered by the Election Commission following recommendations of the returning officer that polling in the booth was 'adjourned' on November 20, as suspected militants damaged poll materials on the poll eve.
Suangpuilawn villagers said they would not exercise their franchise today to protest violent activities of the Hmar militants who abducted three candidates, intimidated voters and destroyed poll materials.
The candidates of the constituency also said that repoll should be undertaken in all the 12 polling stations, not Suangpuilawn booth alone to ensure free and fair polls.
The three abducted candidates, H Laltanpuia of the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC), Vaninmawia of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and H Ngurdingliana of the Congress, who were rescued on November 20 after being kept in captivity by suspected Hmar militants for about 10 hours.
They said the counting of votes already polled in eight polling stations should also be countermanded.
Bureau Report