2018 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

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.

2018 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

← 2013 27 February 2018 2023 →

All 60 seats in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
31 seats needed for a majority
Turnout86.65% [1] (Decrease1.32%)
  First party Second party
 
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 Decrease8 Increase18
Popular vote 447,472 323,500
Percentage 28.5% 20.6%
Swing Decrease6.3% Increase11.8%


Chief Minister before election

Mukul Sangma
INC

Elected Chief Minister

Conrad Sangma
NPP

Meghalaya

Background

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Electoral system

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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

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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

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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
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

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297 candidates registered to contest the election.

Party Symbol Alliance Seats contested
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

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Coal mining in Jaintia Hills

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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
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

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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

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

AC No. Constituency Winner Runner-up Margin
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

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References

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  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.
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