Counting of votes for the 40-member Mizoram Legislative Assembly began on Monday morning.
With 27 seats, the ZPM ousted the incumbent ruling party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), which secured 10 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured two seats and the Indian National Congress (INC) one.
The sitting Chief Minister, Zoramthanga, faced defeat in his electoral constituency. His Deputy, Tawnluia, and the state health minister, R Lalthangliana, also suffered electoral setbacks.
"Due to the anti-incumbency effect, people are dissatisfied with my performance, leading to my defeat. I acknowledge the people's verdict, and I hope the forthcoming government will perform admirably. It is a combination of anti-incumbency and the challenges posed by Covid," remarked Zoramthanga while tendering his resignation to the Governor.
Since achieving full statehood in 1987, Mizoram has been under the influential leadership of the Congress and the MNF, consistently shaping the region's political landscape. The state of Mizoram conducted its voting on 7th November, with the vote counting initially scheduled for 3rd December, coinciding with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.
However, vote counting was postponed to Monday following appeals by political parties, churches, and student bodies, as Sunday is a day for prayers in the Christian-majority state. Winners are declared in specific districts with a lower voter count due to the mountainous terrain. Although only two rounds of counting will occur, most constituencies will undergo five rounds of counting.