The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election of 2008 took place in a single phase on 3 March 2008 to elect the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from each of the 60 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) in Meghalaya, India. Counting of votes happened on 7 March 2008 and because of the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in this election, the results were ready within the day.
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59 seats in the Assembly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout | 89.84% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The ruling coalition Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) had broken apart in the lead-up to this election, forcing the main partner Indian National Congress (INC) to take on their erstwhile partners including United Democratic Party (UDP) and Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) who had decided to fight against the INC on the basis on corruption charges against the incumbent Government.
The election provided a hung verdict and both the incumbent INC and the post-election coalition of NCP-UDP (who called themselves the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) staked claim with the Governor of Meghalaya M.M. Jacob to form the next Government of Meghalaya.[1] By virtue of being the single largest party in this election, winning 25 of the total 60 seats, the incumbent Chief Minister D. D. Lapang of the INC was invited by the Governor to form the new Government on 10 March 2008.[2] However, the Lapang Government was unable to get enough support in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and the Chief Minister resigned 9 days later ahead of the vote of confidence scheduled for 20 March 2008. The Governor then invited the head of the UDP Donkupar Roy to form the Government with the support of the MPA coalition who claimed support of 31 of the 60 seats in the Assembly. This included 14 seats from NCP, 11 from UDP, 2 from Hill State People's Democratic Party(HPDP), 1 from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 1 from Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and 2 independents[3]
Background
editThe previous elections to the 7th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly was held in 2003 and the term for this Assembly was set to expire on 10 March 2008. Hence, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced fresh elections to the 8th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on 14 January 2008. Of the 60 ACs in Tripura, 55 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes. Elections in all polling stations were held using EVMs.[4]
After the 2003 elections to the 7th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the INC led MDA formed the Government under the leadership of INC's D. D. Lapang. The members of the MDA were INC (22 seats), UDP (9 seats), Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) (4 seats) and 3 independents. By 2006, Lapang faced revolt within the INC and the party took the decision to replace him as the Chief Minister. On 15 June 2006, Lapang resigned and his protégé J. D. Rymbai was sworn in as the new Chief Minister by the Governor of Manipur S. S. Sidhu, who administered the oath of office on behalf of Governor M. M. Jacob who was on leave.[5][6] However, the conflict within the INC did not end there and both Lapang and Rymbai continued to claim majority support among the Congress Legislative Party (CLP). After 8 months in control of the Government, Rymbai was asked by the Congress high command to resign. Lapang was reelected as the leader of the Meghalaya CLP and was reinstated as Chief Minister by Governor M. M. Jacob on 10 March 2007.[7][8] This time Lapang held onto the post until the completion of the term of the 7th Meghalaya Assembly.
Campaign
editIn this election the INC was battling not just the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but also its former MDA partners UDP and MDP. In addition, the NCP, a United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partner at the Centre, was also contesting against the INC in Meghalaya. Under the leadership of P. A. Sangma (who gave up national politics in favour of state politics before the elections[9]), the NCP was expected to provide the most stiff competition to the INC.
Elections in the constituency of Baghmara were postponed to 22 March 2008 on count of the death of the sitting INC MLA S. Sangma.[10]
A total of 331 candidates contested the remaining 59 seats up for election. Romgram had the toughest fight with 11 contestants, while Jaiaw had only 2 contestants.[11]
Election Day
editElection Day (3 March 2008) was largely peaceful across the state. However, there was one incident of violence that claimed the life of an INC worker when clashes broke out between supporters of INC & NCP at Selsella in the Garo Hills area of the state.[12]
Voter turnout of 89.05% was a record for the state. High voter turnout was reported from almost all rural constituencies.[13] Voter turnout for the Baghmara seat on 22 Mar 2008 was 88.50%.[14] Combined voter turnout across the state was 89.44%.[15]
Results
edit
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Seats contested |
Seats won |
No. of Votes |
% of Votes |
% in Seats contested |
Seats Forfeited |
2003 Seats | ||
| Bharatiya Janata Party | 23 | 1 | 29,465 | 2.71% | 7.04% | 21 | |||
| Communist Party of India | 3 | 0 | 282 | 0.03% | 0.53% | 3 | |||
| Indian National Congress | 59 | 25 | 357,113 | 32.88% | 32.88% | 9 | |||
| Nationalist Congress Party | 49 | 14 | 221,341 | 20.38% | 24.32% | 15 | |||
| Lok Janshakti Party | 18 | 0 | 6,827 | 0.63% | 2.02% | 18 | |||
| Meghalaya Democratic Party | 18 | 0 | 30,691 | 2.83% | 8.82% | 15 | |||
| United Democratic Party | 53 | 11 | 201,976 | 18.37% | 20.49% | 21 | |||
| Garo National Council | 4 | 0 | 4,081 | 0.38% | 6.65% | 3 | |||
| Hill State People's Democratic Party | 15 | 2 | 42,235 | 3.89% | 13.97% | 10 | |||
| Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement | 16 | 1 | 48,833 | 4.50% | 16.88% | 9 | |||
| Independents | 73 | 5 | 143,122 | 13.18% | 25.22% | 55 | |||
| Total | 331 | 59 | 1,085,966 | 179 | |||||
[16] Note: The above results are only for 59 seats. The results of Baghmara constituency is not included as elections in Baghmara were postponed.
Elected Members
edit| Constituency | Reserved for (SC/ST/None) |
Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| War-jaintia | ST | Lahkmen Rymbui | Indian National Congress | |
| Rymbai | ST | Nehlang Lyngdoh | Indian National Congress | |
| Sutnga-shangpung | ST | Shitlang Pale | Indian National Congress | |
| Raliang | ST | Comingone Ymbon | Indian National Congress | |
| Nartiang | ST | E. C. Boniface Bamon | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Nongbah-wahiajer | ST | Sniawbhalang Dhar | Indian National Congress | |
| Jowai | ST | Roytre Christopher Laloo | Indian National Congress | |
| Mawhati | ST | Donbok Khymdeit | United Democratic Party | |
| Umroi | ST | E.k.mawlong | United Democratic Party | |
| Nongpoh | ST | Dr. D.d. Lapang | Indian National Congress | |
| Jirang | ST | J. Dringwell Rymbai | United Democratic Party | |
| Mairang | ST | Metbah Lyngdoh | United Democratic Party | |
| Nongspung | ST | J. Antonius Lyngdoh | United Democratic Party | |
| Sohiong | ST | H. Donkupar R. Lyngdoh | Indian National Congress | |
| Mylliem | ST | Ronnie V. Lyngdoh | Indian National Congress | |
| Malki-nongthymmai | ST | B.m. Lanong | United Democratic Party | |
| Laitumkharah | ST | M. Ampareen Lyngdoh | United Democratic Party | |
| Pynthorumkhrah | None | A.l. Hek | Bharatiya Janata Party | |
| Jaiaw | ST | Paul Lyngdoh | Khun Hynnieutrip National Awakaning Movement | |
| Mawkhar | ST | Dr Friday Lyngdoh | Indian National Congress | |
| Mawprem | None | Manas Chaudhuri | Independent | |
| Laban | None | Sanbor Shullai | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Mawlai | ST | Founder Strong Cajee | Indian National Congress | |
| Sohryngkham | ST | Charles Pyngrope | Indian National Congress | |
| Dienglieng | ST | Remington Pyngrope | United Democratic Party | |
| Nongkrem | ST | Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit | United Democratic Party | |
| Lyngkyrdem | ST | Prestone Tynsong | Indian National Congress | |
| Nongshken | ST | Don Kupar Massar | Independent | |
| Sohra | ST | Dr. Phlour W. Khongjee | Indian National Congress | |
| Shella | ST | Dr. Donkupar Roy | United Democratic Party | |
| Mawsynram | ST | Pynshngainlang Syiem | Indian National Congress | |
| Mawkyrwat | ST | Rowell Lyngdoh | Indian National Congress | |
| Pariong | ST | Dr. Adviser Pariong | Hill State People's Democratic Party | |
| Nongstoin | ST | Hopingstone Lyngdoh | Hill State People's Democratic Party | |
| Langrin | ST | Martin M. Danggo | Indian National Congress | |
| Mawthengkut | ST | Francis Pondit R. Sangma | Indian National Congress | |
| Baghmara | ST | Satto Marak | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Rongrenggiri | ST | Shri.marcuise N.marak | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Rongjeng | ST | Shri.desang M.sangma | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Kharkutta | ST | Shri.omillo K.sangma | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Mendipathar | ST | Frankenstein Momin | Indian National Congress | |
| Resubelpara | ST | Timothy Shira | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Songsak | ST | Shri.nihim D.shira | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Bajengdoba | ST | John Manner Marak | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Tikrikilla | ST | Limison Sangma | Independent | |
| Dadenggiri | ST | Augustine D.marak | Indian National Congress | |
| Rongchugiri | ST | James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Phulbari | None | Abu Taher Mondal | Independent | |
| Rajabala | ST | Sayeedullah Nongrum | Indian National Congress | |
| Selsella | ST | Conrad Kongkal Sangma | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Rongram | ST | Ismail R.marak | Independent | |
| Tura | ST | Purno Agitok Sangma | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Chokpot | ST | Masonsing Sangma | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Kherapara | ST | Phillipole Marak | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Dalu | ST | Samuel Sangma | Indian National Congress | |
| Dalamgiri | ST | Saleng Sangma | Indian National Congress | |
| Rangsakona | ST | Adolf Lu Hitler R. Marak | Nationalist Congress Party | |
| Ampatigiri | ST | Dr. Mukul Sangma | Indian National Congress | |
| Salmanpura | ST | Nimarson Momin | United Democratic Party | |
| Mahendraganj | None | Abdus Saleh | Indian National Congress | |
References
edit- ^ "UDP-NCP, Cong stake claim to form govt in Meghalaya – India News – IBNLive". Ibnlive.in.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ "Lapang sworn in Meghalaya CM, MPA to move SC". Rediff.com. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ "Lapang Govt falls in Meghalaya, Roy appointed CM". Ibnlive.in.com. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ [1] [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Lapang out, Rymbai is new Meghalaya CM". The Indian Express. India. 16 June 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ "The Telegraph Calcutta : Frontpage". The Telegraph. Kolkota, India. 16 June 2006. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ "Meghalaya CM Rymbai finally resigns". Rediff.com. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ "Lapang is Meghalaya CM, Rymbai resigns". Hindustan Times. India. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2011.[dead link]
- ^ Kashyap, Shreesha. "CoolAge – College Life on the Go". Aol.in. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ "Meghalaya goes to polls today | Key issues – Business News – IBNLive". Ibnlive.in.com. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ [2] [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Meghalaya poll concludes peacefully; Nagaland gears up". Newstrackindia.com. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ "Poll record in Meghalaya". The Telegraph . Kolkota, India. 5 March 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ [3] [permanent dead link]
- ^ [4] [permanent dead link]
- ^ [5] [permanent dead link]