Aizawl: The ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) have officially formed a pre-poll alliance ahead of the Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) elections, which are scheduled for November. The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press conference held at the Aizawl Press Club.
According to a report by The Mizoram Post, the agreement was signed by ZPM president Lalliansawta and HPC president Rohringa. Under the terms of the alliance, ZPM will contest eight of the 12 seats in the upcoming SHC polls, while HPC will field candidates for the remaining four seats.
Lalliansawta explained that the two parties had previously collaborated in three assembly constituencies during the last assembly elections in 2023. “When a pre-poll agreement was signed before the assembly polls in 2023, we also decided to work together in the SHC polls. After a series of negotiations and parleys to sort out our differences, we finally agreed to join hands in the upcoming council polls and agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement,” he said.
The alliance, according to Lalliansawta, has inspired renewed optimism among the Hmar people, who hold high expectations from the ZPM-HPC partnership in the upcoming council elections.
Mizoram State Election Commissioner H. Lalthlangliana has confirmed that the election schedule for the SHC will be announced on Thursday. According to the final voter roll published on Monday, the SHC has 23,789 registered voters, including 11,914 female voters.
The Sinlung Hills Council consists of 12 constituencies spread across 31 villages in the Hmar-dominated northeastern part of Mizoram, encompassing parts of the Aizawl, Kolasib, and Saitual districts. In the previous SHC elections held on November 5, 2019, the Mizo National Front (MNF)-HPC alliance won 10 seats, while the remaining two were secured by independent candidates. However, the power dynamics in the council have shifted frequently over the past five years, with the ZPM-HPC alliance currently in control.
The SHC was established on July 9, 2018, following the peace accord signed between the Mizoram government and the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) or HPC(D) on April 2 of the same year. The council comprises 12 elected members and two nominated seats, with its leadership headed by a Chief Executive Member (CEM).
Also Read | Mizoram’s role in cross-border trade highlighted at NEC 2047 meeting