Clean and straight of Mizoram polls

As opposed to the crooked tactics applied during polls elsewhere, the Mizoram elections passed off peacefully with not even a single incident of violence or disturbance to cite.
This picture of a cop relaxing on the merry go round while voters queued up symbolises the discipline and decency of the Mizo society and political parties alike.  (Photo | EPS)
This picture of a cop relaxing on the merry go round while voters queued up symbolises the discipline and decency of the Mizo society and political parties alike.  (Photo | EPS)

GUWAHATI: As Mizoram watched voters quietly casting their ballot on Wednesday, it was one more time the north-eastern state proved it was one of the few states in the country that is a straight-thinking one.

As opposed to the crooked tactics applied during polls elsewhere, the Mizoram elections passed off peacefully with not even a single incident of violence or disturbance to cite.

“Poll grounds (in Mizoram) are like playfields,” said the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Ashish Kundra.

A picture of a policeman relaxing on the merry go round while voters queued up symbolised the discipline and decency of the Mizo society and political parties alike. 

Kundra said the polling had gone off peacefully as the people extended an amazing cooperation.

Asked why polls in Mizoram, which ranks second after Kerala in literacy rate, have been always peaceful, he said, “I think it’s a disciplined society which is evident in the traffic movement. No horns and no jostling. The way the markets are organised, even there everything is neatly stacked up. Secondly, it is a closely-knit society. Perhaps, the social organisations have also played a role in instilling discipline”.

There was not a single incident of violence, not even scuffle among voters or supporters of political parties, during polling on Wednesday. Even the buzz of campaigns, which is common ahead of polls elsewhere in the country, was missing in Mizoram. There were very few posters, banners and flags of the political parties in the towns and the villages. The political parties and their candidates relied mostly on house-to-house campaigning. Money does not float here during elections.

The Mizo society at large is guided by some influential organisations such as Mizo People’s Forum (MPF), Young Mizo Association and of course, the Church. And during the election, the MPF plays the role of a watchdog. It issues guidelines on dos and don’ts and insists on low-key campaigns and the political parties adhere to them. 

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