Election tempo at its ebb in Mizoram
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, October 26 2013 : Just 30 days to go for assembly poll but Mizoram is yet to pick up its usual pace of electioneering unlike in the past assembly elections, thanks to state election watch-dog Mizoram Peoples Forum (MPF) .

No posters of parties or candidates seen pasted on the walls.

There has been a lukewarm atmosphere even in the state capital Aizawl as the hectic scenes related to electioneering is absence this year.

However, campaigns in discreet are underway and every political party or candidate is trying their best to abide the directives or code of election conduct of the MPF.

Earlier, the Mizoram election ewatch-dog Mizoram People Forum (MPF) had asked all the political parties not to set up any 'campaign office' in connection with the upcoming assembly election in the state.

The Mizoram Peoples' Forum (MPF) is floated by the Synod, the largest Church body in Mizoram as an election watch-dog.

In a drive to have free and fair election, MPF said since the opening up of election campaign offices by candidates resulted only in the huge expenses of the latter, it asked every party not to set up any campaign office for the upcoming election.

However, door to door campaign is allowed till 10 days before the election.

MPF also informed all the political parties in the state to take step in accordance with ECI Model Code of Conduct.

It however opposes any agitation by any group or community to achieve its demand which can disturb the preparation of assembly election.

It can be noted here that MPF has formulated its agenda to be applied in the next assembly election due in the next few months' time.

Earlier, MPF in its meeting held here had invited the various recognised political parties in Mizoram and had discussed over the setting up of party campaign offices in the wake of elections and about the participations of the candidates in the MPF joint platform.

Two months ago, the Mizoram Peoples' Forum (MPF), had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with major political parties in Mizoram so that free and fair elections could be held.

The memorandum of understanding is nothing but rule for co-operation by the political parties with the Mizoram People's Forum.

The parties which had signed the MoU with the state election watchdog are Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Mizo Peoples Convention (MPC), Zoram National Party (ZNP), Mizo National Front (MNF) and the BJP for co-operation at Synod Committee Hall in Aizawl.

About 27 rules have been made by the MPF for the political parties to abide.

Among the 27 points, one is that the political parties should only make an election manifesto which they can implement.

If any political party violates any one of the 27 points, the MPF will "invalid" that party.

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