The political landscape of Mizoram’s Dampa assembly constituency is buzzing as four candidates officially submitted their nomination papers for the upcoming by-election. This announcement was made by an official on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
The contenders include Vanlalsailova representing the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), R. Lalthangliana from the Mizo National Front (MNF), Lalhmangaiha of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and John Rotluangliana from the Congress party.
The window for filing nominations closes on Tuesday, October 21. Following this, the scrutiny of papers will take place on Wednesday, October 22, with candidates having until Friday, October 24, to withdraw their candidatures. Voters in the Dampa seat will head to the polls on November 11.
This by-election is shaping up to be a direct four-way battle, with all major political parties fielding their candidates. It is anticipated that smaller parties or independent candidates are unlikely to join the fray.
Notably, People’s Conference (PC) president Vanlalruata has confirmed that his party will not participate in the bypoll.
The by-election was necessitated by the unfortunate demise of MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21. According to the final electoral roll published on September 30, the assembly segment boasts 20,790 registered voters.
The constituency is equipped with 41 polling stations. Silsury-I polling station has the highest number of voters with 1,103, while Zopui polling station registers the fewest at just 30. The eagerly awaited counting of votes is scheduled for November 14.
Among the candidates, R. Lalthangliana of the MNF stands out as the wealthiest, having declared assets worth an impressive ₹17.19 crore. He is followed by Congress’s John Rotluangliana, who has declared assets exceeding ₹15.37 crore.
Mr. Lalthangliana’s affidavit details movable assets worth over ₹3.23 crore and immovable assets valued at more than ₹13.96 crore, a total which includes assets belonging to his wife and three dependants.
Despite their significant wealth, his spouse, Ngurmawii Sailo, and son, Vanlalchhanhima Ralte, also carry total liabilities of ₹4.12 crore. Mr. Lalthangliana’s primary income streams are his pension as an ex-MLA and retired associate professor, alongside house rent, while his wife and son are involved in business ventures.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rotluangliana’s financial disclosures show movable assets of ₹1.42 crore and immovable assets amounting to ₹13.95 crore.
In contrast, BJP candidate Lalhmangaiha has declared the least amount of assets among the contenders, with his total movable and immovable assets valued at ₹46.53 lakh. ZPM’s Sailo has declared movable assets worth ₹64.85 lakh, with no immovable assets listed in his affidavit.
It is noteworthy that none of the candidates currently face any pending criminal cases nor have any prior convictions, ensuring a clean slate for all participants in this by-election.