Guwahati, Apr 11 (UNI) Mizoram witnessed 22 per cent turnout till 10 am in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
The lone Lok Sabha constituency six candidates in fray for the parliamentary seat of Mizoram which is reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community.
Mizo National Front (MNF) has fielded C Lalrosanga, a former Indian Broadcasting Programme Service (IBPS) officer and retired Director General of Doordarshan.
Sports journalist Lalnghinglova Hmar, also known as Tetea Hmar, is contesting as an Independent candidate backed by key opposition parties Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) and Congress.
BJP has fielded Nirupam Chakma, a veteran Chakma leader as well as the state vice-president of the party.
TBC Lalvenchhunga of the newly-floated People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) is also in the fray.
Lastly, independent candidates Lalhriatrenga Chhangte and Lalthlamuani are also taking part in the contest.
Lalthlamuani, who runs an NGO for the Jewish community, is the only woman candidate contesting from the Mizoram seat.
Of the total 7.84 lakh voters, 4.02 lakh are women and 3.81 lakh men. There are 52,556 first-time voters and a total of 6 third gender voters in the state. Among the 1,175 polling stations, 117 will be women-only booths, officiated by female security personnel and officials.
Bru voters lodged in relief camps in Tripura would also exercise their franchise today.
There will be 15 special polling stations established especially at the Mizo-Tripura border village of Kanhmun, where 12,081 Bru voters will cast their votes.
The ECI has also instructed the Tripura government to arrange transportation of Bru voters from their camps on the voting day.
In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mizoram had a voter turnout of 61.95 per cent.
UNI ABI RN