Aizawl, Dec 10 (IANS): The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements to count the polled in the Mizoram Assembly polls on Tuesday, an official said on Monday.

Polling for the 40-seat Assembly was held on November 28, with 81.64 per cent of the 774,758 electorate voting. There were 209 candidates.

Chief Electoral Officer Ashish Kundra told the media that the counting process will start in 40 halls in 13 centres across the state.

The ruling Congress, led by incumbent Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, is aiming for a third consecutive victory despite a stiff challenge from the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) headed by Zoramthanga.

Both the Congress and MNF fielded candidates in all 40 constituencies.

The Congress has been in power, except for 10 years, since Mizoram became a full-fledged state in 1987. The MNF, a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), ruled the state in 1998-2003 and 2003-2008.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded 39 candidates -- its highest ever.

Many regional parties, including Meghalaya's ruling National People's Party (NPP), have fielded candidates for most of the 40 seats.