Good turnout in Mizoram poll

Rebel-turned-politician Zoramthanga seeks second term

Some 70% of voters have cast their ballots in the tiny Indian state of Mizoram, the first stage of crucial state elections.

More than half a million voters were eligible to cast their ballot for 40 state legislature seats.

Poll officials said voting was largely peaceful although repolling has been ordered in one district.

Mizoram is the only peaceful state in the troubled north-east, where more than a dozen rebel groups operate.

The turnout is being described as lower than in previous elections.

Wedged between Bangladesh and Burma in north-east India, Mizoram traditionally enjoys high voter turnout.

On Thursday, many voters lined up before the 0700 start of polling, in bright sunshine.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, a former rebel commander, is facing a challenge from the opposition Congress Party.

In 1986, he walked out of the dense jungle on the border with Bangladesh and marched to Mizoram with his supporters, where he gave up his rebellion to join politics.

Abduction

Repolling will take place in seven polling stations in one violence-hit district, where police rescued three candidates allegedly abducted by militants.

The police said they were held by militants of the Hmar tribe allegedly to ensure the victory of an a candidate they were backing.

The candidate of the Hmar People's Convention, HLalsangzuala, was accused by other party leaders of using militants to force other candidates out of the contest.

He denies the charge.

Votes will be counted on 2 December after elections to the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and the national capital, Delhi.

The country's ruling BJP and Congress are locked in a straight contest in those polls, in what is seen as a key battle ahead of national elections due next year.