Mizoram Election 2023: Congress, MNF Seek Rescheduling Of Counting As Sunday Is 'Devoted To Worship Of God'

Both the Congress and the MNF filed separate letters to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar requesting that the counting date be changed.

Mizoram's governing Mizo National Front (MNF) and the major opposition Congress opposed the date of the Assembly polls being set for December 3 since the day (Sunday) is a prayer day for Christians, news agency IANS reported. Both the Congress and the MNF filed separate letters to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar requesting that the counting date be changed. In his letter, State Congress chairman Lalsawta stated that Sunday is a hallowed day for the people of Mizoram, devoted entirely to God's worship.

"No official programmes or business are transacted on Sunday in Mizoram. We know that not only the Congress party but also the entire Christian community in Mizoram would not like the counting of votes to be held on Sunday. I, therefore, request you to respect the sentiments of the Mizo people and fix the date for counting votes, preferably between Monday to Friday," he was quoted by IANS in its report. 

In a letter, MNF General Secretary T. C. Kaphmingthanga also petitioned the CEC to postpone the date of vote counting.

Rev Dr. C. Chawnghmingliana, Synod Moderator and Chairman of Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitu Committee (MKHC), the State's biggest conglomeration of churches, stated, "Sunday is our sacred day reserved for worshipping the entire day."

"It is most unfortunate that the counting of votes shall take place on a Sunday. We feel that this is a discrimination against the Christian community. Moreover, December 3 is not just a normal Sunday for Christians in India, it is a date reserved for 'Bible Sunday'. We hope that EC will shift the counting day.” 

The CEC issued the schedule for elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, as well as MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Telangana, on Monday. According to the timetable, the notification will be issued on October 13, the deadline for filing nominations is October 20, the inspection of candidates will take place the following day, and the deadline for withdrawing nominations is October 23.

On December 3, the votes would be counted in all five states. The MNF, Congress, BJP, Zoram People's Movement, and other local parties have already begun their election campaigns, with the MNF and ZPM announcing candidates for all 40 seats. The BJP and Congress both stated that the names of their candidates will be announced soon.