1978 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

The 1978 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election was held on 25 February 1978.[1] No party secured a majority of seats in the election. Following negotiations, a coalition government, known as the Meghalaya United Legislative Party, was formed between the All Party Hill Leaders Conference, the Hill State People's Democratic Party and the Public Demands Implementation Convention (PDIC).[1] Due to an inability to reach agreement between the coalition parties, the position of Chief Minister was chosen by drawing lots; subsequently, on 10 March 1978, Darwin Diengdoh Pugh was sworn in as the state's second Chief Minister.[2] Miriam D Shira from Garo Hills was the only woman elected to the legislature.[3]

1978 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

← 1972 25 February 1978 1983 →

All 60 seats in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
31 seats needed for a majority
Turnout67.18%
  First party Second party
 
Party AHL INC
Seats before 32 9
Seats won 16 20
Seat change 16 Decrease 11 Increase
Popular vote 94,362 109,654
Percentage 24.92 28.96
Swing 10.75 Decrease 19.07 Increase

Chief Minister before election

Williamson A. Sangma
AHL

Elected Chief Minister

Darwin Diengdoh Pugh
AHL

Results

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Parties and coalitions Popular vote Seats
Votes % ±pp Won +/−
Indian National Congress (INC) 109,654 28.96 19.07   20 11  
All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC) 94,362 24.92 10.75   16 16  
Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) 72,852 19.24 14[a]
Indian National Congress (I) 5,447 1.44 0
Communist Party of India 2,361 0.62 0.05   0  
Independents (IND) 93,970 24.82 29.04   10[b] 9  
Total 378,646 100.00 60 ±0
Source: Election Commission of India[4]

a The HSPDP won 8 seats in the 1972 election, but the party's representatives were recorded as independents at the time of that election.[1]

b Two candidates from the PDIC were elected, but the party had not obtained registration in time for the election; the party's representatives were recorded as independents in the official results.[5]

Elected Members

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Constituency Reserved for
(SC/ST/None)
Member Party
War-jaintia ST Johndeng Pohrmen All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Rymbai ST Obil Kyndait Hill State People's Democratic Party
Sutnga-shangpung ST Barrister Pakem Hill State People's Democratic Party
Raliang ST Humphrey Hadem Hill State People's Democratic Party
Nartiang ST H.britainwar Dan Independent
Nongbah-wahiajer ST Albin Lamare All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Jowai ST Tylli Kyndiah Independent
Mawhati ST Martin N. Majaw Independent
Umroi ST Evansius Kek Mawlong Independent
Nongpoh ST D. Dethwelson Lapang Indian National Congress
Jirang ST Snomick Kalwing Indian National Congress
Mairang ST Fuller Lyngdoh Mawnai Hill State People's Democratic Party
Nongspung ST Winstone Syiemiong Hill State People's Democratic Party
Sohiong ST Medras Mylliem Hill State People's Democratic Party
Mylliem ST Lambourine Kharlukhi Hill State People's Democratic Party
Malki-nongthymmai ST Upstar Kharbuli Indian National Congress
Laitumkharah ST Peter Garnette Marbaniang Indian National Congress
Pynthorumkhrah None B. K. Roy Indian National Congress
Jaiaw ST P. Ripple Kyndiah All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Mawkhar ST D. D. Pugh All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Mawprem None Dhrubanath Joshi Indian National Congress
Laban None Bhaskar Choudhury Indian National Congress
Mawlai ST Stanlington D. Khongwir Hill State People's Democratic Party
Sohryngkham ST Grosswell Mylliemngap All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Dienglieng ST Jungai Khongjoh Indian National Congress
Nongkrem ST Dominic Roblin Nongkhynrih Independent
Lyngkyrdem ST Brington Buhai Lyngdoh All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Nongshken ST Maham Singh Indian National Congress
Sohra ST Phaindrojen Swer All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Shella ST Stanley D.d.nichols Roy All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Mawsynram ST Karadoklie E. Tariang Hill State People's Democratic Party
Mawkyrwat ST Rowell Lyngdoh Hill State People's Democratic Party
Pariong ST Tubarlin Lyngdoh Hill State People's Democratic Party
Nongstoin ST Endro Lawphniaw Hill State People's Democratic Party
Langrin ST Bakstarwell Wanniang Hill State People's Democratic Party
Mawthengkut ST Ledishon Nongsiang Hill State People's Democratic Party
Baghmara ST Williamson A. Sangma Indian National Congress
Rongrenggiri ST Albinstone M. Sangma Indian National Congress
Rongjeng ST Pleander G. Momin Indian National Congress
Kharkutta ST Prithington Sangma Indian National Congress
Mendipathar ST Beninstand G. Momin All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Resubelpara ST Salseng Marak Indian National Congress
Songsak ST Miriam D.shira Independent
Bajengdoba ST Grohonsing Marak Indian National Congress
Tikrikilla ST Jagendranath Bantha Independent
Dadenggiri ST Bronson Momin All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Rongchugiri ST M. Reidson Momin Indian National Congress
Phulbari None Akramozzaman Indian National Congress
Rajabala ST Mozibur Rahman Independent
Selsella ST Girash Marak All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Rongram ST Crunden S. Sangma All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Tura ST Singjan Sangma Indian National Congress
Chokpot ST Jackman Marak All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Kherapara ST Alfrien Marak All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Dalu ST Mukul Das Independent
Dalamgiri ST Armison Marak All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Rangsakona ST Jendew Ch. Marak All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Ampatigiri ST Bhadreswar Koch Indian National Congress
Salmanpura ST Meckenson K.sangma Independent
Mahendraganj None Manik Ch. Das Indian National Congress

References

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  1. ^ a b c Warjri, Antarwell (March 2017). "Role of Regional Political Parties and Formation of the Coalition Governments in Meghalaya" (PDF). International Journal of Humanities & Social Science Studies. 3 (5): 206–218. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-06. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  2. ^ Staff (2008-11-18). "Former Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Pugh dies". Oneindia.com. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  3. ^ Joshi, Hargovind (2004). Meghalaya: Past and Present. Mittal Publications. p. 292. ISBN 978-81-7099-980-5.
  4. ^ "Meghalaya 1978". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  5. ^ Gupta, Susmita Sen (2005). Regionalism in Meghalaya. South Asian Publishers. p. 118. ISBN 978-81-7003-288-5.