The authorities in Mizoram have decided to connect all polling booths through wireless communication for the first time in the run-up to the Mizoram Assembly Elections, leaving no “shadow areas” at all. Shadow areas refer to the place where there is no communication.
Polling in the 40 seat assembly began on Wednesday morning, November 28.
“For the first time in Mizoram’s election history, all polling booths will be covered by wireless communication. It will help in timely reporting of every development and progress of the polling,” Mizoram Deputy Inspector General of Police (Training & Armed Branch) Joseph Lalchhuana said.
Till the last election in 2014 for the Lok Sabha, not all areas were connected through this wireless technology and there was a delay in receiving information from far-flung booths, he added.
Lalchhuana, who is also the Assistant State Police Nodal Officer for the assembly elections, added: “By introducing the wireless communication, we have eliminated all ‘shadow’ areas in the state.
Mizoram has 7,70,395 registered voters who will cast their franchise in 1,164 polling booths across the state, while an additional 15 special booths have been created at Kanhmun village in Mamit district for the Bru refugees coming from six camps in Tripura.
The ruling Congress and the main opposition party Mizo National Front (MNF) have fielded 40 candidates each, while the BJP is looking to open its account in the state for the first time by contesting in 39 seats.
Mizoram is one of the five poll-bound states going for state assembly elections in 2018. The results of all five states will be announced on December 11.