2018 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

Indian regional election

2018 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

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| <- 2013 | 27 February 2018 | 2023 ->

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All 60 seats in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
31 seats needed for a majority
Turnout| 86.65% [1] ( 1.32%)
|  | First party  | Second party

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Leader  | Mukul Sangma | Conrad Sangma
Party  | INC | NPP
Alliance  | UPA | NDA
Leader since  | 20 April 2010  | 6 January 2013
Leader's seat  | Songsak[b] | South Tura[a]
Last election  | 29  | 2
Seats won  | 21  | 20
Seat change  |  8  |  18
Popular vote  | 447,472  | 323,500
Percentage  | 28.5%  | 20.6%
Swing  |  6.3%  |  11.8%

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| Chief Minister before election

Mukul Sangma
INC

| Elected Chief Minister

Conrad Sangma
NPP

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The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election was held on 27 February 2018 to elect 59 of 60 members to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, with the results declared on 3 March. The scheduled election in Williamnagar constituency was delayed to an undetermined date following the death of Nationalist Congress Party candidate Jonathone Sangma in an IED blast in East Garo Hills district on 18 February 2018.[2][3] The incumbent Indian National Congress government, led by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, attempted to win re-election for the third consecutive time.

Meghalaya

## Background

[edit]

### Electoral system

[edit]

The state of Meghalaya lies in the North-eastern region of India, predominantly populated by tribal groups. At the time of accession to the Independent India, these tribes were assured autonomy to make laws in and enforce local customs, management of land and forests. The sixth schedule of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of autonomous District Councils to oversee these issues. As such, the powers of the state government are limited when compared with other states of India.[4]

The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is the legislative organ of the state. The legislature has 60 seats chosen through first-past-the-post method. The party or coalition with more than 30 seats can form the executive.

From 1976, no political party has secured an absolute majority in the state assembly, with Indian National Congress forming coalition governments.[5]

### Poll machinery

[edit]

The tenure of outgoing Legislative Assembly, elected in March 2013, was set to end on 6 March 2018.[6] A total of 370 candidates contested the polls across the 60 constituencies.[7] Out of these, only 32 were female candidates, despite the state's distinction of being a matrilineal society.

There were 17.68 lakh voters in the state, out of which 8.93 lakh voters were female.[8] The number of first time voters in the state was 45%.

The election commission set up 3,082 polling booths in the state, out of which 60 booths will be pink booths - one in each constituency run completely by women.[8] There were 172 polling stations in areas adjoining the 884-km-long Assam-Meghalaya border, with polling officials having to pass through Assam to reach several booths. The home department identified 633 polling stations as vulnerable, 315 as critical and 75 as both vulnerable and critical.[9]

Counting will take place in 13 stations to be set up across the state.[10]

## Schedule

[edit]

The Election Commission scheduled the election for 27 February 2018 with the results to be announced on 3 March 2018.[citation needed]

Event | Date | Day

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Date for nominations | 31 Jan 2018 | Wednesday
Last date for filing nominations | 7 Feb 2018 | Wednesday
Date for scrutiny of nominations | 8 Feb 2018 | Thursday
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures | 12 Feb 2018 | Monday
Date of poll | 27 Feb 2018 | Tuesday
Date of counting | 3 Mar 2018 | Saturday
Date before which the election shall be completed | 5 Mar 2018 | Monday

## Candidates

[edit]

297 candidates registered to contest the election.

Party | Symbol  | Alliance | Seats contested

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| Indian National Congress (INC)  |  | UPA | 59
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  |  | NDA | 47
| National People's Party |  | NDA | 52
| United Democratic Party (UDP)  |  | NDA | 27
| Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP)  |  | NDA | 15
| Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)  |  |  | 8
| Garo National Council (GNC)  |  |  | 7
| Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)  |  |  | 6
| Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM)  |  |  | 7
| People's Democratic Front (PDF)  |  | NDA | 7
| Independents (IND) and other candidates  |  |  | 70

## Issues

[edit]

### Coal mining in Jaintia Hills

[edit]

The Jaintia Hills in the eastern part of the state have rich deposits of coal. The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining of coal in the state in 2014. Tribal groups across Meghalaya maintain that according to the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution, they alone have the right to the coal under the hills. But the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973, which vests ownership and control of the mineral with the Indian state, expressly lists Meghalaya's coal mines as being under its purview. Besides, the Sixth Schedule also confers the right over underground minerals to the Indian state. It explicitly mentions the need for "licences or leases for the purpose of prospecting for, or extraction of, minerals". According to the Constitution, there is only one way a Sixth Schedule state can be exempted from the coal nationalisation law – by a presidential notification to that effect. Official records suggest that while the state government did express apprehension in the wake of the nationalisation of coal, it never applied for an exemption.[11]

The state, in general turned a blind eye to the small-scale mining of coal, which had a huge impact on the ecology of the region, leading to the ban. However, numerous miners and workers were affected by the sudden decision and blame the incumbent Congress government for the failure. The Bharatiya Janata Party has promised to resolve the issue in eight months of coming to power, while the Congress government has assigned the mines to Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation to operate the mines on behalf of the miners.[12]

## Exit polls

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Polling firm  | Date published  |  |  |  |

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NPP | INC | BJP | Others
JanKiBaat-NewsX[13] | 27 January 2018  | 23-27 | 13-17  | 8-12  | 2-6
CVoter[13] | 27 January 2018  | 17-23 | 13-19  | 4-8  | 13-21

## Results

[edit]

The elections resulted in a hung assembly with no single party or alliance getting the requisite majority of 31 seats in the Vidhan Sabha.[14] Conrad Sangma, leader of the NPP, announced that he would form a government with the support of the UDP, BJP and other regional parties.[15][16] He was sworn in as the Chief Minister, along with eleven other ministers.[17]

Party  | Popular vote  | Seats
Votes  | %  | ±pp | Contested  | Won  | +/−
| Indian National Congress (INC)  | 4,52,324  | 28.5%  | 6.3  | 59  | 21  | 8
| National People's Party (NPP)  | 3,33,401 | 20.6% | 11.8 | 52 | 20 | 18
| United Democratic Party (UDP)  | 183,005  | 11.6%  | 5.5  | 27  | 6  | 2
| Independents (IND)  | 176079  | 10.8%  | 0.8  |  | 3  | 10
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  | 152,162  | 9.6%  | 8.33  | 47  | 2  | 2
| People's Democratic Front (PDF)  | 128,413  | 8.2%  | did not contest | 8  | 4  | 4
| Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP)  | 84,011  | 5.3%  | 1.13  | 15  | 2  | 1
| Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)  | 29,287  | 1.6%  | 0.24  | 6  | 1  | 1
| Garo National Council (GNC)  | 21,682  | 1.4%  | 0.69  | 7  | 0  | 1
| Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM)  | 14,164  | 0.9%  | 0.17  | 6  | 1  | 1
| All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)  | 5,544  | 0.4%  | did not contest |  | 0  |
| None of the Above (NOTA)  | 14,915  | 0.9%  |  |
Total  | 15,96,992 | 100.00 |  | 297 | 60 | ±0
Valid votes  | 15,96,992  | 99.90  |
Invalid votes  | 1,517  | 0.10
Votes cast / turnout | 15,98,509 | 86.65
Abstentions  | 2,46,285  | 13.35
Registered voters | 18,44,794 |

## Elected members

[edit]

The following is the list of the members elected in the Meghalaya assembly:[18]

AC No.  | Constituency  | Winner  | Runner-up  | Margin

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Candidate  | Party  | Votes  | Candidate  | Party  | Votes
West Jaintia Hills District
1  | Nartiang (ST)  | Sniawbhalang Dhar |  | NPP | 16,604  | Jopthiaw Lyngdoh |  | INC | 14,506  | 2,098
2  | Jowai (ST)  | Wailadmiki Shylla |  | NPP | 10,657  | Moonlight Pariat |  | UDP | 9,354  | 1,303
3  | Raliang (ST)  | Comingone Ymbon |  | NPP | 12,129  | Lakhon Biam |  | BJP | 8,879  | 3,250
4  | Mowkaiaw (ST)  | Nujorki Sungoh |  | UDP | 6,691  | Gilbert Sten |  | NPP | 6,431  | 260
East Jaintia Hills District
5  | Sutnga Saipung (ST)  | Shitlang Pale |  | INC | 12,257  | Hopeful Bamon |  | NPP | 10,673  | 1,584
6  | Khliehriat (ST)  | Kyrmen Shylla |  | UDP | 20,285  | Justine Dkhar |  | BJP | 12,104  | 8,181
West Jaintia Hills District
7  | Amlarem (ST)  | Lahkmen Rymbui |  | UDP | 14,766  | Stephanson Mukhim |  | NPP | 12,135  | 2,631
Ri-Bhoi District
8  | Mawhati (ST)  | Dasakhiatbha Lamare |  | NPP | 6,365  | Julias Kitbok Dorphang |  | Independent  | 6,161  | 204
9  | Nongpoh (ST)  | Mayralborn Syiem |  | INC | 11,119  | Rona Khymdeit |  | UDP | 7,795  | 3,324
10  | Jirang (ST)  | Sosthenes Sohtun |  | NPP | 9,437  | Witness Day Sancley |  | INC | 9,217  | 220
11  | Umsning (ST)  | Jason Sawkmie Mawlong |  | PDF | 9,238  | Celestine Lyngdoh |  | INC | 9,168  | 70
12  | Umroi (ST)  | George Bankyntiewlang Lyngdoh |  | INC | 10,405  | Ngaitlang Dhar |  | NPP | 9,387  | 1,018
East Khasi Hills District
13  | Mawryngkneng (ST)  | David A Nongrum |  | INC | 10,336  | Highlander Kharmalki |  | PDF | 6,573  | 3,763
14  | Pynthorumkhrah | Alexander Laloo Hek |  | BJP | 10,166  | James Ban Basaiawmoit |  | PDF | 8,748  | 1,418
15  | Mawlai (ST)  | Process T. Sawkmie |  | INC | 9,253  | Teiborlang Pathaw |  | Independent  | 7,679  | 1,574
16  | East Shillong (ST)  | Ampareen Lyngdoh |  | INC | 10,368  | Neil Antonio War |  | BJP | 4,294  | 6,074
17  | North Shillong (ST)  | Adelbert Nongrum |  | KHNAM | 5,572  | Antonius Lyngdoh |  | BJP | 5,166  | 406
18  | West Shillong | Mohendro Rapsang |  | INC | 10,288  | Paul Lyngdoh |  | UDP | 8,304  | 1,984
19  | South Shillong | Sanbor Shullai |  | BJP | 11,204  | Manas Chaudhuri |  | INC | 6,107  | 5,097
20  | Mylliem (ST)  | Hamletson Dohling |  | PDF | 8,493  | Ronnie Lyngdoh |  | INC | 8,028  | 465
21  | Nongthymmai (ST)  | Charles Pyngrope |  | INC | 10,225  | Dr. Jemino Mawthoh |  | UDP | 9,268  | 957
22  | Nongkrem (ST)  | Lambor Malngiang |  | Independent  | 8,274  | Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit |  | HSPDP | 8,198  | 76
23  | Sohiong (ST)  | Samlin Malngiang |  | HSPDP | 11,960  | H. Donkupar Lyngdoh |  | INC | 11,338  | 622
24  | Mawphlang (ST)  | Syntar Klas Sunn |  | Independent  | 11,162  | Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem |  | INC | 10,444  | 718
25  | Mawsynram (ST)  | Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang |  | INC | 8,984  | Pynshngainlang Syiem |  | PDF | 8,190  | 794
26  | Shella (ST)  | Donkupar Roy |  | UDP | 8,280  | Leston Wanswett |  | PDF | 7,910  | 370
27  | Pynursla (ST)  | Prestone Tynsong |  | NPP | 12,807  | Nehru Suting |  | UDP | 10,233  | 2,574
28  | Sohra (ST)  | Gavin Miguel Mylliem |  | PDF | 8,625  | Titosstar Well Chyn |  | UDP | 6,601  | 2,024
29  | Mawkynrew (ST)  | Banteidor Lyngdoh |  | PDF | 8,519  | Martle Mukhim |  | HSPDP | 8,010  | 509
West Khasi Hills District
30  | Mairang (ST)  | Metbah Lyngdoh |  | UDP | 10,710  | Councellor Singh Wahlang |  | PDF | 7,796  | 2,914
31  | Mawthadraishan (ST)  | Brolding Nongsiej |  | UDP | 13,520  | Biolinda Nonglait |  | HSPDP | 11,691  | 1,829
32  | Nongstoin (ST)  | Macmillan Byrsat |  | NPP | 9,284  | Gabriel Wahlang |  | INC | 9,224  | 60
33  | Rambrai-Jyrngam (ST)  | Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang |  | INC | 12,135  | K Phlastingwell Pangniang |  | HSPDP | 8,332  | 3,803
34  | Mawshynrut (ST)  | Gigur Myrthong |  | NPP | 9,540  | Witting Mawsor |  | HSPDP | 6,116  | 3,424
South West Khasi Hills District
35  | Ranikor (ST)  | Martin Danggo |  | INC | 10,952  | Pius Marwein |  | UDP | 8,950  | 2,002
36  | Mawkyrwat (ST)  | Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar |  | HSPDP | 6,777  | Carnes Sohshang |  | INC | 6,319  | 458
North Garo Hills District
37  | Kharkutta (ST)  | Rupert Momin |  | NPP | 14,654  | Cherak Watre Momin |  | INC | 13,845  | 809
38  | Mendipathar (ST)  | Marthon Sangma |  | INC | 9,347  | Frankenstein Momin |  | NPP | 6,670  | 2,677
39  | Resubelpara (ST)  | Timothy Shira |  | NPP | 6,720  | Salseng Marak |  | INC | 4,957  | 1,763
40  | Bajengdoba (ST)  | Pongseng Marak |  | NPP | 11,648  | Brigady Napak Marak |  | INC | 9,684  | 1,964
East Garo Hills District
41  | Songsak (ST)  | Dr. Mukul Sangma |  | INC | 10,274  | Nihim Shira |  | NPP | 8,444  | 1,830
42  | Rongjeng (ST)  | Jim Sangma |  | NPP | 4,846  | Walseng Sangma |  | Independent  | 4,296  | 550
43  | Williamnagar (ST)  | Marcuise N. Marak[19] |  | NPP | 9,656  | Sengbath R Marak |  | Independent  | 4,736  | 4,920
West Garo Hills District
44  | Raksamgre (ST)  | Benedic Marak |  | NPP | 9,104  | Limison Sangma |  | INC | 8,480  | 624
45  | Tikrikilla (ST)  | Jimmy Sangma |  | INC | 7,167  | Rahinath Barchung |  | Independent  | 5,760  | 1,407
46  | Phulbari | S. G. Esmatur Mominin |  | NPP | 7,716  | Abu Taher Mondal |  | INC | 6,582  | 1,134
47  | Rajabala | Dr. Azad Zaman |  | INC | 7,420  | Ashahel Shira |  | Independent  | 6,482  | 938
48  | Selsella (ST)  | Clement Marak |  | INC | 12,619  | Ferlin C. A. Sangma |  | NPP | 9,022  | 3,597
49  | Dadenggre (ST)  | James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma |  | NPP | 7,239  | Rupa M. Marak |  | Independent  | 4,454  | 2,785
50  | North Tura (ST)  | Thomas Sangma |  | NPP | 6,487  | Noverfield R. Marak |  | INC | 4,391  | 2,096
51  | South Tura (ST)  | Agatha Sangma |  | NPP | 6,499  | Billykid Sangma |  | BJP | 4,896  | 1,603
52  | Rangsakona (ST)  | Zenith Sangma |  | INC | 13,981  | Subir Marak |  | NPP | 12,019  | 1,962
South West Garo Hills District
53  | Ampati (ST)  | Dr. Mukul Sangma |  | INC | 16,721  | Bakul Ch. Hajong |  | BJP | 8,617  | 8,104
54  | Mahendraganj (ST)  | Dikkanchi Shira |  | INC | 14,292  | Premananda Koch |  | BJP | 6,207  | 8,085
55  | Salmanpara (ST)  | Winnerson Sangma |  | INC | 6,613  | Ian Botham. Sangma |  | NPP | 4,698  | 1,915
West Garo Hills District
56  | Gambegre (ST)  | Saleng Sangma |  | NCP | 7,291  | Sadhiarani Sangma |  | INC | 7,155  | 136
57  | Dalu (ST)  | Brening Sangma |  | NPP | 4,092  | Dorendro Sangma |  | INC | 3,308  | 784
South Garo Hills District
58  | Rongara Siju (ST)  | Rakkam Sangma |  | NPP | 8,108  | Rophul Marak |  | Independent  | 7,000  | 1,108
59  | Chokpot (ST)  | Lazarus Sangma |  | INC | 8,410  | Secondson Sangma |  | NPP | 6,359  | 2,051
60  | Baghmara (ST)  | Samuel Sangma |  | Independent  | 8,070  | Sengnal Sangmaa |  | NPP | 5,828  | 2,242

## See also

[edit]

* Elections in India
* 2018 elections in India

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Elected in by-election shortly after election
2. ^ Sangma was also elected in Ampati; he chose to represent Songsak.

1. ^ "Meghalaya Registers 78% Turnout". The Shillong Times. 28 February 2018. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
2. ^ "Meghalaya NCP leader Jonathone Sangma killed; 43-year-old was to contest polls from Williamnagar". Firstpost. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
3. ^ "Nagaland, Meghalaya with 60 seats each go to polls today". The Times of India. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
4. ^ "Role of the K.H.A.D.C: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council". khadc.nic.in. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
5. ^ "Can the BJP Achieve a Congress-mukt Meghalaya?". Economic and Political Weekly. 53 (6). 5 June 2015.
6. ^ "Terms of the Houses". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
7. ^ "Total number of candidates reduced to 370". The Shillong Times. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
8. ^ a b Das, Manosh (26 December 2017). "Meghalaya will have 60 all-women polling booths for assembly election". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
9. ^ "CEC OP Rawat to visit Meghalaya ahead of elections to review poll-preparedness in state - Firstpost". www.firstpost.com. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
10. ^ "Meghalaya assembly election: 372 candidates in fray - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
11. ^ Saikia, Arunabh. "'Phaltu sarkar': In Meghalaya, the ban on coal mining could cost the Congress heavily". Scroll.in. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
12. ^ "CM wants MMDC to carry out coal mining in state". The Shillong Times. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
13. ^ a b "Exit polls predict BJP may win Tripura, consolidate position in Meghalaya and Nagaland". Times of India. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
14. ^ "Meghalaya Election Results 2018 LIVE UPDATES: Congress to hold meeting to select legislature party leader". 3 March 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
15. ^ "Meghalaya election result 2018: NPP to form government with help of others, says Conrad Sangma". 3 March 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
16. ^ Singh, Shiv Sahay (4 March 2018). "Non-Congress parties come together to stake claim in Meghalaya". Retrieved 7 June 2018 - via www.thehindu.com.
17. ^ Singh, Shiv Sahay (6 March 2018). "Conrad Sangma sworn in as Meghalaya CM". Retrieved 7 June 2018 - via www.thehindu.com.
18. ^ "Meghalaya Election 2018". Elections.in. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
19. ^ "Final Result Sheet - Election to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly from the 43-Williamnagar(ST) Assembly constituency" (PDF). ceomeghalaya.nic.in. Retrieved 31 January 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Election Commission of India

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