Mizoram Assembly Election Results top developments: ZPM trounces BJP's ally MNF, wins elections

Incumbent Chief Minister Zoramthanga loses the election from Aizawl East-1 constituency. His deputy Tawnluia too suffers defeat in Tuichang. 

ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) Vice-President Dr Kenneth Chawngliana says, "As of now we are leading on more than 20 seats, which is already the majority, I think we'll form the government with the absolute majority. (After winning) our main priority will be agriculture, to be self-sufficient in food production and then electricity and communication and our young generation's affairs...."

ZPM Chief Ministerial candidate Lalduhoma says, "...I am not surprised this is what I expected... Let the full results come out... The counting process is going on..."

Indian shares hit fresh all-time highs on Monday, driven by financials and energy stocks as state election results boosted market momentum emerging from strong macroeconomic data and easing global interest rate expectations, reports Reuters news agency.

The NSE Nifty 50 index rose as much as 1.65% to 20,602.50 points, notching a record high for second session in a row. The S&P BSE Sensex was up 1.64% to an all-time high of 68,587.82, as of 9:51 a.m. IST.

Financial services rose up 1.8% and energy stocks climbed 2%, leading sectoral gains.
Index heavyweights Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank gained between 1% and 3%.

Small- and mid-caps gained about 1% each, also hitting new all-time highs.

Lalnghinglova Hmar, ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) Party candidate of Aizawl West 2, told ANI, "...During the first round, I am leading by around 2000 votes, which looks healthy... But anything can happen in the second round... We are hopeful of getting a seat in my constituency... My prediction on polling day was 25 seats for ZPM... "

ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) crosses the halfway mark, leads on 22 seats. 
 Ruling MNF (Mizo National Front) trails with a lead on 10 seats.

Early official EC trends in; ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) leading on 7 seats and ruling MNF (Mizo National Front) leading on 6. BJP and Congress leading on 1 each.     

Nazuk Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, says, "...We started at 8 am with the postal ballots...Now we have started with round one of EVMs...Everything is peaceful... We have 12 counting halls...We are prepared for any victory procession and any celebrations that happen... We have CAPF deployed in the innermost Cordon and state police in the outer Cordon..."

According to the early trends by the Election Commission, ZPM (Zoram People's Movement) is leading on 2 seats while the ruling MNF (Mizo National Front), BJP and Congress are leading on 1 each. 

Counting of votes on all 40 seats is underway.

Counting of votes for Mizoram Elections 2023 has begun. Visuals from a counting centre in Aizawl.

Counting of votes for the 40 assembly seats has begun amidst tight security 

The counting of votes will begin at 8 AM (Indian Standard Time), according to an official readout from Election Commission of India.