Aizawl, Oct 17: The political parties of Mizoram has demanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) to change the counting date of Mizoram assembly polls which was fixed for December 3.

The 40-member Mizoram Assembly will go to the polls on November 7.

People’s Conference Vice-President Lalrinmawii Fanai in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Monday said that considering auspicious days of the Christian community like Christmas, Good Friday and Sundays scheduling of Government functions has become a recurring trend and consistent practice in recent years.

“If the Election Commission does not change the counting date, this would be a detrimental impact on the sentiments of the Christian community who have already been facing challenges in the practice of their faith in India. Many are questioning whether this is a deliberate disregard for Christians not only in Mizoram but in India on the whole,” the letter stated.

All the political parties, including the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), Congress, BJP, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the state’s largest NGO Young Mizo Association (YMA) have earlier urged the poll panel to change the date of vote counting (December 3) as Sunday is a sacred day for Christians, and the entire day is devoted to church services across the state.

The conglomerate of major churches in the state, Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC), has also written to the Election Commission requesting it to change the date of counting.

“Sundays are sacred for Christians and worship services are held in all towns and villages on that day,” the MKHC’s letter read.

The EC had on October 9 announced the election schedule for five states  Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Chhattisgarh.

The last date of filing nominations is October 20, scrutiny of candidatures will take place on the next day, while the last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 23.

According to 2011 Census, Christians form around 87 per cent of Mizoram’s populations.

Read: AAP to make electoral debut in northeast by contesting Mizoram polls

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