Over eight lakh voters are set to decide the political tide in Mizoram on November 7. Out of these, more than 50,000 are first-time voters. 

In Aizawl, Newslaundry’s Tanishka Sodhi spoke to a handful of students at Mizoram University and Government Johnson College in Aizawl who will be casting their votes for the first time. Many of them spotlighted the issues of unemployment, corruption and sluggish development in the state. They also spoke about the bad road conditions.     

“We are developing very slowly. Our roads are damaged. There are many development issues. We should vote for a party that helps us develop at speed,” said one student. Another added: “Especially for students, the transportation system should be improved.”

A student also pointed out the need to protect Mizoram’s ethnicity. “We Mizos need to protect our language, protect our religion, and protect our tribe. We need a political party that will help us protect our ethnicity.”  

Watch.