(This article may be a boring field of  knowledge for those who are not interested in parliamentary democracy form of government. Since the Mizoram Legislative Assembly is where I work and I'll confined to the Mizoram Legislative Assembly)

                The growth of Modern Parliamentary form of administration was started in 1952 when Mizoram gained the status of District Council. Albeit, prior to this the Mizos had a systematic form of administration called Chieftainship. Every Mizo village had its own chief who was assisted by Council of elders. However, members of the Council were appointed by the Chief at his pleasure. With the advent of the British rule, this traditional form of Government was gradually replaced by modern form of administration and ultimately led to the representative body called Legislative Assembly.

                Mizoram attained the status of Union Territory in 1972 and then separated from Assam. The first session of Mizoram Legislative Assembly was held on 10 May 1972 that was the beginning of Mizoram Legislative Assembly. The first Assembly of Mizoram had 30 elected seats and 3 nominated seats. The erstwhile District Council House was inherited for the Assembly House, since then the House of Mizoram Legislative Assembly has been the voice of the people where grievances of the people are ventilated. The first Assembly election was won by the Mizo Union under the leadership of Pu Ch. Chhunga which was later merged with the Indian National Congress. Pu H. Thansanga,the first Speaker of Mizoram Legislative Assembly vacated his office and Pu Vaivenga became the Speaker of Mizoram Legislative Assembly.

                Election to the second Assembly was held in 1978 in which People's Conference led by Brig.T. Sailo had won with absolute majority. However, the Ministry broke down after 5 months.

                The same party came into power in the next election and the incumbent Speaker Pu Thangridema was succeeded by Pu Kenneth Chawngliana.

                The fourth Assembly was constituted in 1984, the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Pu Lal Thanhawla won the election. Pu H.Thansanga again assumed the office of the Speaker. However, with the implementation of Peace Accord between Mizo National Front and Government of India Pu Lal Thanhawla vacated Chief Ministership for Pu Laldenga, President of MNF who became the Chief Minister for a period of 6 months.

                The status of Union Territory was upgraded to the Statehood by an Act of Parliament which was passed in August,1986. It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Pu Rajiv Gandhi on 20 February 1987. The strength of the Assembly has also been increased to 40 elected seats.

                The first State Assembly election was held in 1987.The Mizo National Front headed by Pu Laldenga won the election. Pu J. Thanghuama was the Speaker of the first State Assembly. This Assembly lasted only for one year.

                The second State Assembly was elected in 1989.The Indian National Congress won the election under the leadership of Pu Lal Thanhawla. Pu Hiphei became the Speaker of the Assembly. After more than a year Pu Hiphei vacated the office of the Speaker to become Member of Parliament in the Upper House, Pu Rokamlova was elected Speaker.

                The third  State Assembly was elected in 1993. Under the leadership of Pu Lal Thanhawla the Indian National Congress and Janata Dal formed a coalition government. Pu Vaivenga assumed the office of the Speaker again for the second time.

                The fourth State Assembly was elected in 1998.The Mizo National Front led by Pu Zoramthanga won the election but formed coalition Government with Mizo People's Conference. But the Mizo People's Conference severed their tie with the government within a short period of time. Pu R. Lalawia was the Speaker in this Assembly.

                The fifth Assembly was elected in 2003. The Mizo National Front led by Pu Zoramthanga won again by absolute majority.  Pu Lalchamliana was the Speaker of the fifth Assembly.

                The present Assembly is the sixth State Assembly. It was elected in 2008.Under the leadership of Pu Lal Thanhawla the Indian National Congress won by absolute majority. Pu R.Romawia assumed the office of the Speaker.

                It must be noted that ten General elections for the Assembly were held so far and it is quite remarkable that these elections had passed off peacefully. No coercion and booth capturing has taken place in the history of Mizoram.

                The Mizoram Legislative Assembly marches towards progress in the field of parliamentary practice and procedure. The officers are well trained and the Secretariat is now functioning in its new building with modern office machineries. Fully computerisation of office works is not very far off. With the dedication of honourable members and officers of this Secretariat new Committees have been constituted in our Assembly, namely, Ethics Committee, Subject Committees and Budget Committee. These Committees will surely enhance the accountability of legislature.

                As mentioned before most of the political parties in Mizoram formed a ministry at one time or the other. It would be gladly mentioned of the fact that the Mizoram Legislative Assembly has been conducting its business with dignity and decorum of very high standard. Scenes of  bedlam, withdrawal, naming and suspension of members are rarest of the rare case in the House of Mizoram Legislative Assembly. His Excellency Lt. Gen. (Rtd) M.M. Lakhera, Governor of Mizoram rightly observed,  " All the 40 MLAs are well-mannered and the House proceedings were conducted in a dignified manner. "  He further invited Parliament of India to send all its members to Aizawl to learn a lesson or two on House etiquette.