Aizawl, Jan 27 (Reporter) The Mizoram State Election Commission (SEC) has validated 9,026 nomination papers for the upcoming elections to 544 village councils (VCs) and 111 local councils (LCs), scheduled for February 12. The scrutiny of nominations was conducted on Friday, SEC officials reported. A total of 6,942 candidates will contest the elections for 2,416 seats across 544 village councils in nine districts. These seats comprise 1,803 general seats and 613 reserved for women. Among the contestants, 5,267 are vying for general seats, while 1,675 are contesting the reserved seats for women. The village council elections will see 4,39,409 voters from 1,28,067 families, including 2,23,017 female electors. For 83 local councils under the Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC), 1,664 valid candidates will contest 575 seats. These include 418 general seats and 157 reserved for women. Of these, 1,215 nominees are competing for general seats, while 449 candidates are contesting women’s reserved seats. The number of voters for the AMC elections stands at 2,44,726. In southern Mizoram, the Lunglei Municipal Council (LMC), which began operations in 2023, will hold local council elections for the first time. A total of 2,084 candidates have been deemed valid to contest 24 LCs under the LMC. These councils have 148 seats, comprising 110 general and 38 reserved for women. Among the contestants, 1,527 are in the fray for general seats, and 557 are contesting reserved seats. The elections will involve 41,206 voters. In a tragic development, Ismael Jongte (60), the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) candidate for Lawipui Local Council under AMC, passed away on Saturday morning. The party immediately nominated a replacement candidate on the same day. The SEC has set Monday, 3 PM, as the deadline for withdrawal of nominations...////...