The opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) on Tuesday warned it will take legal action against individuals who launch “indecent and derogatory” attacks on female candidates on social media ahead of the Aizawl Municipal Council (AMC) elections scheduled for April 21. The party said the surge in online character assassination and sexist abuse threatens the integrity of the polls and called for immediate intervention by authorities.
MNF leaders voiced deep concern over what they described as a growing trend of online harassment aimed specifically at women contestants. The party urged the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) to lead by example and help foster a fair, respectful election environment instead of tolerating or encouraging abusive behaviour.
Zothansangi Hmar, treasurer of the MNF legal board, told reporters the frequency of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violations has increasingly made Election Commission intervention necessary in local matters. She said the attacks are not merely political hostility but amount to a broader “oppression of women’s status” in society and must be checked.
“Indecent attacks targeting a woman’s character will be met with necessary legal measures,” Hmar said during a press conference in Aizawl, announcing the party’s intent to pursue legal remedies against perpetrators. She pointed specifically to the online harassment faced by R Lalnunthari, also known as Nunui Rualheng, the MNF candidate for Ward IV.
Hmar stressed that preserving Mizoram’s tradition of clean and fair elections requires party workers-especially those of the ruling party-to set a positive example. “For Mizoram to maintain its tradition of clean and fair elections, the people expect the workers of the ruling party to be the frontrunners in setting a positive example,” she said.
The MNF reiterated a zero-tolerance stance on gender-based harassment ahead of the AMC polls, signalling it will seek legal recourse against anyone found perpetuating online attacks. The issue comes as women form a substantial portion of the candidate pool-28 women among 68 contestants for the April 21 elections-underscoring the wider stakes for gender equality and voter confidence in the local polls.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/mizoram/mnf-vows-legal-action-against-social-media-abuse-of-female-candidates-in-aizawl-polls/46509/
Category: Mizoram,Aizawl Municipal Council elections,Mizo National Front (MNF),Model Code of Conduct
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Publish Date: 2026-03-31 22:10:00
