Electoral Politics in Mizoram: Emerging Issues and Trends

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This is the first research- based book published that solely focuses on analysis of elections of the Mizoram State Legislative Assembly. The book contains 22 articles contributed by various scholars from across the country exploring various issues concerning Mizoram State Legislative Elections and electoral politics in the State, and is expected to provide valuable insights to policymakers, political parties and fraternity

LALMALSAWMA K HIANGTE IS Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, Government Aizawl College and currently pursuing Ph.D. in the Department of Political Science, Mizoram University, He has published an edited book titled Human Security in North East India and Contemporary Issues in Mizoram. He also contributes a number of research papers in books and journals.

F LALRAMHLUNI is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, ICFAI University, Mizoram, and currently pursuing Ph.D. in the Department of Political Science, Mizoram University. She has contributed research papers in journals and has conducted academic conferences and seminars of international and national levels and was a member of the panel on Rajya Sabha TV on Counting Day of Assembly Elections, 2018.

Mizoram Political Science Association conducted National Seminar on "Issues & Trends in Mizoram Legislative Assembly Elections: 2018" on 22nd February 2019 in collaboration with Department of Political Science, ICFAI University, Mizoram. This book is the outcome of the academic papers presented and deliberated in the National Seminar by various scholars from within and outside the state.

The book discusses various issues and trends in the Mizoram elections, with particular reference to the Eight State Legislative Assembly Election held on 28th November, 2018, with topics ranging from an overview of the election, manifestos and policy analysis to gender issues in electoral politics, political culture and trends in coalition politics, voting behaviour and emergence of the right-wing politics. The book contains 22 articles of high-quality research papers with valuable insight and information for policy makers, political parties, academia and various civil societies.

The editors express their sincere gratitude to the Chief Electoral Officer Mizoram for sponsoring the Seminar, Prof Jangkhongam Doungel for sparing his valuable time in reviewing the papers, Mizoram Political Science Association for providing the academic platform and to all the paper contributors for their sincere labour. However, the views expressed by the authors are purely of their own and the editors do not owe any responsibility. We believe this book will greatly benefit and enrich each and every reader.

The Constitution of India incorporates a parliamentary system of government where legislature at the Union and State level has wide ranging law-making powers. The parliamentary system of government can be successful only through the medium of free and fair elections. Mizoram have experienced election since the Lushai Hills District Advisory Council Election of 1948 and the positive outcome of Mizoram political system is that poll violence and practice of unfair means have not yet been known in any elections since District Council era. It should also be noted that the struggle for power in Mizoram political scenario since the District Council era has been the fight between two main dominant parties, such as Mizo Union (MU) and United Mizo Freedom Organisation (UMFO) in the initial stage of District Council era, M.U. and Indian National Congress (INC) in later stage of District Council era and initial stage of Union Territory era, INC and People's Conference (PC) in the rest of the Union Territory era, and between INC and the Mizo National Front (MNF) in the statehood era. Yet, the status quo political scenario of struggle for power between two dominant parties has been challenged by the emergence of the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) as the main opposition party.

The just concluded eighth Legislative Assembly Elections also witnessed the opening of electoral account by the right wing nationalist party which is often described as the Hindu based party, that is, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Other than the BJP the eighth Assembly election also witnessed the participation of local right wing pary, such as, Zoramthar Party and anti- corruption vigilant body turned political party, PRISM and parties from outside Mizoram such as, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and National People Party (NPP) in the electoral battle.