Voting over tea

Mizoram believes in doing things differently, even while electing a new government. So most of the frontier state’s 6.11 lakh voters thrashed out community issues amid tea parties while awaiting turns to exercise their franchise on Tuesday.

Mizoram believes in doing things differently, even while electing a new government. So most of the frontier state’s 6.11 lakh voters thrashed out community issues amid tea parties while awaiting turns to exercise their franchise on Tuesday.

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“Some 74 per cent people cast their votes, but the figure may increase with reports from remote polling booths yet to come in,” said Mizoram chief electoral officer Lalmalsawma from Aizawl.

Special election observer Debasish Sen said, “Unlike elsewhere in India, voters here did not have to stand in long queues. Benches had been arranged on which they could sit and chat till their turn came.”

Each voter was also treated to several cups of tea the Mizoram Peoples’ Forum, an umbrella organisation of the church and social organisations.