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.

Meghalaya

2018 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election
27 February 2018
All 60 seats in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
31 seats needed for a majority
Turnout86.63%[1]
  First party Second party
 
Leader Conrad Sangma Mukul Sangma
Party NPP INC
Alliance NDA UPA
Leader since 6 January 2013 20 April 2010
Leader's seat South Tura(Won) Ampati (Won) Songsak(Won)
Last election 2 29
Seats won 20 21
Seat change 18 8
Popular vote 323,500 447,472
Percentage 20.6% 28.5%
Swing 11.8% 6.3%
Chief Minister before election

Mukul Sangma
INC

 Elected Chief Minister

Conrad Sangma
NPP

Background

Electoral system

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

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

The Election Commission scheduled the election for 27 February 2018 with the results to be announced on 3 March 2018.[11]

Event Date Day
Date for nominations31 Jan 2018Wednesday
Last date for filing nominations7 Feb 2018Wednesday
Date for scrutiny of nominations8 Feb 2018Thursday
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures12 Feb 2018Monday
Date of poll27 Feb 2018Tuesday
Date of counting3 Mar 2018Saturday
Date before which the election shall be completed5 Mar 2018Monday

Candidates

297 candidates registered to contest the election.

PartySymbol AllianceSeats 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

Coal mining in Jaintia Hills

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.[12]

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.[13]

Exit polls
Polling firm Date published
NPP INC BJP Others
JanKiBaat-NewsX[14] 27 January 2018 23-27 13-17 8-12 2-6
CVoter[14] 27 January 2018 17-23 13-19 4-8 13-21

Results

The elections resulted in a hung assembly with no single party or alliance getting the requisite majority of 31 seats in the Vidhan Sabha.[15] Conrad Sangma, leader of the NPP, announced that he would form a government with the support of the UDP, BJP and other regional parties.[16][17] He was sworn in as the Chief Minister, along with eleven other ministers.[18]

Party Popular vote Seats
Votes % ±pp Contested Won +/−
Indian National Congress (INC) 4,52,324 28.5% 59 21 8
National People's Party (NPP) 3,33,401 20.6% 52 20 18
United Democratic Party (UDP) 183,005 11.6% 27 6 2
Independents (IND) 176079 10.8% 3 10
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 152,162 9.6% 47 2 2
People's Democratic Front (PDF) 128,413 8.2% 8 4 4
Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) 84,011 5.3% 15 2 1
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 29,287 1.6% 6 1 1
Garo National Council (GNC) 21,682 1.4% 7 0 1
Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) 14,164 0.9% 6 1 1
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) 5,544 0.4% 0
None of the Above (NOTA) 14,915 0.9%
Total 15,96,676100.00 29760±0
Valid votes 15,96,676
Invalid votes
Votes cast / turnout 15,98,189 86.63
Abstentions
Registered voters 18,44,790

Elected members

The following is the list of the members elected in the Meghalaya assembly:[19]

No. Constituency Elected MLA Party Runner-up Party
1 Nartiang Sniawbhalang Dhar NPP Jopthiaw Lyngdoh INC
2 Jowai Wailadmiki Shylla NPP Moonlight Pariat UDP
3 Khurai Comingone Ymbon NPP Lakhon Biam BJP
4 Mowkaiaw Nujorki Sungoh UDP Gilbert Sten NPP
5 Sutnga Saipung Shitlang Pale INC Hopeful Bamon NPP
6 Khliehriat Kyrmen Shylla UDP Justine Dkhar BJP
7 Amlarem Lahkmen Rymbui UDP Stephanson Mukhim NPP
8 Mawhati Dasakhiatbha Lamare NPP Julias Kitbok Dorphang IND
9 Nongpoh Mayralborn Syiem INC Rona Khymdeit UDP
10 Jirang Sosthenes Sohtun NPP Witness Day Sancley INC
11 Umsning Jason Sawkmie Mawlong PDF Celestine Lyngdoh INC
12 Umsning David A Nongrum INC Highlander Kharmalki PDF
13 Pynthorumkhrah Alexander Laloo Hek BJP James Ban Basaiawmoit PDF
14 Mawlai Process T. Sawkmie INC Teiborlang Pathaw IND
15 East Shillong Ampareen Lyngdoh INC Neil Antonio War BJP
16 North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum KHNAM Antonius Lyngdoh BJP
17 West Shillong Mohendro Rapsang INC Paul Lyngdoh UDP
18 South Shillong Sanbor Shullai BJP Manas Chaudhuri INC
19 Mylliem Hamletson Dohling PDF Ronnie Lyngdoh INC
20 Nongthymmai Charles Pyngrope INC Dr. Jemino Mawthoh UDP
21 Nongkrem Lambor Malngiang IND Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit HSPDP
22 Sohiong Samlin Malngiang HSPDP H. Donkupar Lyngdoh INC
23 Mawphlang Syntar Klas Sunn IND Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem INC
24 Mawsynram Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang INC Pynshngainlang Syiem PDF
25 Shella Donkupar Roy UDP Leston Wanswett PDF
26 Pynursla Prestone Tynsong NPP Nehru Suting UDP
27 Sohra Gavin Miguel Mylliem PDF Titosstar Well Chyn UDP
28 Mawkynrew Banteidor Lyngdoh PDF Martle Mukhim HSPDP
29 Mairang Metbah Lyngdoh UDP Councellor Singh Wahlang PDF
30 Mawthadraishan Brolding Nongsiej UDP Biolinda Nonglait HSPDP
31 Nongstoin Macmillan Byrsat NPP Gabriel Wahlang INC
32 Rambrai Jyrngam Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang INC K Phlastingwell Pangniang HSPDP
33 Mawshynrut Gigur Myrthong NPP Witting Mawsor HSPDP
34 Ranikor Martin Danggo INC Pius Marwein UDP
35 Mawkyrwat Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar HSPDP Carnes Sohshang INC
36 Kharkutta Rupert Momin NPP Cherak Watre Momin INC
37 Mendipathar Marthon Sangma INC Frankenstein Momin NPP
38 Resubelpara Timothy Shira NPP Salseng Marak INC
39 Resubelpara Pongseng Marak NPP Brigady Napak Marak INC
40 Songsak Dr. Mukul Sangma INC Nihim Shira NPP
41 Rongjeng Jim Sangma NPP Walseng Sangma IND
42 Raksamgre Benedic Marak NPP Limison Sangma INC
43 Tikrikilla Jimmy Sangma INC Rahinath Barchung IND
44 Phulbari S. G. Esmatur Mominin NPP Abu Taher Mondal INC
45 Rajabala Dr. Azad Zaman INC Ashahel Shira IND
46 Selsella Clement Marak INC Ferlin C. A. Sangma NPP
47 Dadenggre James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma NPP Rupa M. Marak IND
49 North Tura Thomas Sangma NPP Noverfield R. Marak INC
50 South Tura Agatha Sangma NPP Billykid Sangma BJP
51 South Tura Zenith Sangma INC Subir Marak NPP
52 Ampati Dr. Mukul Sangma INC Bakul Ch. Hajong BJP
53 Mahendraganj Dikkanchi Shira INC Premananda Koch BJP
54 Salmanpara Winnerson Sangma INC Ian Botham. Sangma NPP
55 Gambegre Saleng Sangma NCP Sadhiarani Sangma INC
56 Dalu Brening Sangma NPP Dorendro Sangma NCP
57 Rongara Siju Rakkam Sangma NPP Rophul Marak IND
58 Chokpot Lazarus Sangma INC Secondson Sangma NPP
59 Baghmara Samuel Sangma IND Sengnal Sangmaa NPP
60 Bajengdoba Pongseng Marak NPP Brigadi Napak Marak INC
gollark: If you dislike companies which do binning, you'll probably have to dislike all of them evenly.
gollark: Very weird opinion.
gollark: I mean, what are they meant to do, sell it with "4 cores", one of which doesn't work, or throw away the slightly broken ones?
gollark: Intel and AMD and probably all or almost of the ARM manufacturers do that though.
gollark: I don't see how that's a problem. You shouldn't really expect to get an extra working core if it's disabled.

See also

References
  1. "Meghalaya Registers 78% Turnout". The Shillong Times. 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. 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. "Legislative Assembly Elections 2018: Election Commission Announces Poll Dates For Meghalaya, Tripura And Nagaland". Republic TV. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  12. Saikia, Arunabh. "'Phaltu sarkar': In Meghalaya, the ban on coal mining could cost the Congress heavily". Scroll.in. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  13. "CM wants MMDC to carry out coal mining in state". The Shillong Times. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  14. "Exit polls predict BJP may win Tripura, consolidate position in Meghalaya and Nagaland". Times of India. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  15. "Meghalaya Election Results 2018 LIVE UPDATES: Congress to hold meeting to select legislature party leader". 3 March 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  16. "Meghalaya election result 2018: NPP to form government with help of others, says Conrad Sangma". 3 March 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  17. Singh, Shiv Sahay (4 March 2018). "Non-Congress parties come together to stake claim in Meghalaya". Retrieved 7 June 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
  18. Singh, Shiv Sahay (6 March 2018). "Conrad Sangma sworn in as Meghalaya CM". Retrieved 7 June 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
  19. "Meghalaya Election 2018". Elections.in. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
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