Aizawl: A meeting was held on Thursday at the conference hall of the deputy commissioner of south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district amid concerns raised by major civil society groups and student organisations that foreigners could be enrolled during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.The meeting was chaired by deputy commissioner and district election officer Donny Lalruatsanga and attended by Lorrain Lalpekliana Chinzah, adviser to the CM and MLA of Lawngtlai East, along with leaders of the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and leaders of the major civil societies of the district.Welcoming the CYMA leaders, Lalruatsanga said the district administration was working to ensure a correct and error-free electoral roll. He said Lawngtlai shares an international border with Myanmar and Bangladesh and that cross-border movement and displacement, particularly linked to the situation in Myanmar, require extra vigilance during the revision process. He said election officials must work carefully and added that the administration has received cooperation from village councils, civil society groups and churches.Speaking on behalf of the CYMA, assistant secretary SF David Ngursangzuala said the present electoral roll revision would have a significant impact on Mizoram’s future and required careful attention. He said no eligible voter should be left out and urged election officials to carry out their responsibilities impartially and accurately. He also reaffirmed the CYMA’s support for initiatives being undertaken by the Central Young Lai Association (YLA), the main civil society organisation in the district.Central YLA President F Lalrothanga said the CYLA was committed to supporting the SIR 2026 process. He said it was monitoring areas where there may be attempts to include ineligible names in the electoral roll and had directed branch units to assist in the exercise.Earlier, major civil society groups in the state expressed fears that foreigners, especially from Bangladesh, might be enrolled during the ongoing SIR. They submitted letters to chief electoral officer Garima Gupta and have been considering sending delegations to Delhi to raise the issue with the Election Commission of India.
The meeting of stakeholders in Lawngtlai district
