As counting for the Mizoram Assembly elections began on Tuesday, Mizo National Front (MNF ) took an early lead at least two seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led on one seat, according to Election Commission of India.
The Congress party, which has been in power in Mizoram since 2008, is eyeing a third consecutive term, while the BJP aims to make an inroad in the state.
The land-locked Mizoram in the North-East has 40 Assembly constituencies spread across eight districts, out of which 39 seats are reserved for scheduled tribes, while one is for the general category.
MNF, the regional political party, formed the government in Mizoram twice, first in 1986 and then in 1998. However, it lost the 2008 elections and won only three seats.
Currently, it's a part of the North-East Regional Political Front, which supports the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Pu Zoramthanga, is the president of the MNF.
The state, which went to polls on November 28, saw a voter turnout of about 80 per cent. As many as 7,70,395 lakh voters were eligible to cast their vote in the state including 3.75 lakh males and 3.95 lakh females.
Both Congress and MNF are contesting all 40 constituencies this time, while the BJP is fighting in 39 seats.
Though the exit polls indicated that the MNF will emerge as the single largest party in the 40-member Assembly, it may still not be able to cross the halfway mark to form majority. There are strong indications of a hung Assembly, for the first time ever since the state was formed in 1987.
The BJP in the state, according to the exit polls, will not make any dent to the big players in the northeastern state.
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