EC’s decision to advance Mizoram polling date echoes people’s sentiments: Bhupen Borah

THE recent decision of the Election Commission of India to advance the Mizoram polling to

November 25 and postponing the counting by a day to December 9, 2013, has echoed the sentiments of the people of the state, AICC secretary Bhupen Borah said. “I was part of Congress delegation to EC (Election Commission) to ask for advancing poll date. Must thank EC for paying heed to the sentiments of people of Mizoram,” Borah said in micro-blogging site, Twitter. He further wrote:
“EC’s decision to advance Mizoram poll date to Nov 25 is welcome by Congress. Now, even Church leaders will be able to exercise their rights.”
Earlier, a Congress delegation comprising Lok Sabha MP CL Ruala, former state minister Nirupam Chakma and Borah among others, met Election Commissioners to appeal for changing the polling date from December 4, as it had coincided with a state-wide conference organized by Mizoram Synod, the highest decision-making body of the Presbyterian in Aizawl. Also, the delegation said that the counting should not be held on a Sunday, a sacred day for Christians. A number of NGOs and churches also gave representations to Election Commission to change dates for the polling and counting of votes.
Borah also thanked the Election Commission for considering their viewpoints. In a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath and Election Commissioners HS Brahma and SNA Zaidi, it was decided to advance the polling date from December 4 to November 9, and postponing the day of counting from December 8 to December 9. The EC declared the change of the schedule on Monday.