48-hour silent period kicks in ahead of Aizawl civic polls

Aizawl: Preparations for the upcoming elections to the 19-ward Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC), scheduled for Tuesday, have been completed and the 48-hour silent period has begun, state election commissioner H Lalthlangliana said on Sunday.Lalthlangliana told TOI that political parties, candidates and campaigners should refrain from canvassing from 5pm on Sunday till 5pm on Tuesday, as polling for the state capital’s civic election is scheduled to begin from 7am on Tuesday. An electorate of 2,37,846 (1,28,470 female voters and 1,09,376 male voters) will seal the fates of 68 candidates across 257 polling stations.Of the 19 wards, 6 are reserved for women, while there are 7 women candidates contesting in five general wards against male candidates.Earlier, the Mizoram State Election Commission (SEC) has exonerated three ministers, one MP, one MLA and a ZPM corporator candidate who were accused of violating the Election Model Code of Conduct (MCC), citing lack of credible evidence to substantiate the allegations.In a statement issued on Saturday, the commission said allegations had been brought against agriculture minister PC Vanlalruata, LAD minister C Lalsawivunga, food, civil supplies and consumer affairs minister B Lalchhanzova, Lok Sabha MP Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, chief minister’s adviser Lalmuanpuia Punte and ZPM corporator candidate K Lalrodinga.The SEC said showcause notices were served to all six of them, who subsequently submitted their written explanations. The complainants — H Lalmuankima, secretary of the MPCC Legal Cell, and Lalbiakkima, joint secretary of the MNF Legal Board — were also asked to furnish supporting evidence for their allegations.After a detailed examination of the responses, complaints and available evidence, the commission found that the allegations could not be established.