Aizawl: Ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) member Lalbiakzama (58), who won from Chalfilh assembly constituency in the recent election, was elected unopposed as Speaker of the 9th Mizoram state legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Lalbiakzama is a first-time legislator and the pro-tem speaker Lalfamkima announced that he (Lalbiakzama) was the only one to submit nomination till the last date of filing nominations on Monday.
Lalbiakzama was escorted to the Speaker’s chair by the house leader Lalduhoma and the leader of opposition Lalchhandama Ralte.
Lalbiakzama thanked the ZPM party leadership for nominating him to the coveted post and said that he will maintain neutrality while presiding over the House.
Congratulating the new Speaker, Chief Minister Lalduhoma appealed to the MLAs not to repeatedly address him or ministers with words like ‘honourable’ which may amount to perception of being trying to win favour.
The new Speaker later visited Dr. H. Thansanga, the first Speaker of Mizoram and sought his blessings. Lalbiakzama is a graduate in commerce and a businessman by profession.
Earlier, all the 39 elected MLAs were sworn-in as legislators and the Pro-tem speaker administered them the oath of office.
Of 40 legislators, 23 are first-timers – ZPM 20, Mizo National Front (MNF) 2 and BJP 1. Chief Minister Lalduhoma is the oldest legislator at 74 while Baryl Vanneihsangi and former national football player Jeje Lalpekhlua are the youngest legislators at 32.
The average age of the legislators is 54.05 while the average age of 12 ministers is 56.75.
