2008 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

2008 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

←  2003 3 Mar 2008 2013  →
59 seats in the Assembly
Turnout	89.84%
Majority party Minority party   Leader Mukul Sangma P. A. Sangma Party INC NCP Last election 22 14 Seats won 25 14 Seat change 3 Popular vote 362,617 221,341 Percentage 32.90% 24.32% Swing 2.94% 0.98%

Meghalaya

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.

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

The 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.

Parties contested

Party		Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
	Indian National Congress			Mukul Sangma	59
	Meghalaya United Democratic Party			Donkupar Roy	53
	Nationalist Congress Party			P. A. Sangma	49
	Bharatiya Janata Party			Rajnath Singh	23
	Lok Jan Shakti Party			Ram Vilas Paswan	18
	Meghalaya Democratic Party				18
	Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement				16
	Hill State People's Democratic Party				15
	Garo National Council				4
	Communist Party of India			A. B. Bardhan	3

Campaign

In 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

Election 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

Performance of the political parties in this election

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

• Winner, runner-up, voter turnout, and victory margin in every constituency ^[17]

Assembly Constituency		Turnout	Winner					Runner Up					Margin
#k	Names	%	Candidate	Party		Votes	%	Candidate	Party		Votes	%
1	War-Jaintia	92.42%	Lahkmen Rymbui		INC	6,896	36.4%	Rianglenon Tariang		UDP	5,996	31.65%	900
2	Rymbai	90.74%	Nehlang Lyngdoh		INC	12,893	47.9%	Simon Siangshai		NCP	5,856	21.76%	7,037
3	Sutnga-Shangpung	92.13%	Shitlang Pale		INC	9,814	50.99%	Richard Singh Lyngdoh		UDP	7,938	41.24%	1,876
4	Raliang	95.91%	Comingone Ymbon		INC	12,756	55.45%	Mihsalan Suchiang		UDP	6,913	30.05%	5,843
5	Nartiang	94.15%	E. C. Boniface Bamon		NCP	7,120	35.4%	Draison Kharshiing		INC	6,669	33.15%	451
6	Nongbah-Wahiajer	95.31%	Sniawbhalang Dhar		INC	8,452	40.94%	Thawain Plain		UDP	6,973	33.78%	1,479
7	Jowai	92.16%	Dr. Roytre Christopher Laloo		INC	7,712	40.15%	Singh Mulieh		UDP	7,119	37.06%	593
8	Mawhati	93.2%	Donbok Khymdeit		UDP	6,112	30.8%	Phingwel Muktieh		INC	5,725	28.85%	387
9	Umroi	91.13%	E. K. Mawlong		UDP	10,226	43.4%	Stanlywiss Rymbai		INC	9,261	39.3%	965
10	Nongpoh	90.74%	Dr. D. D. Lapang		INC	10,974	50.68%	Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh		UDP	10,254	47.35%	720
11	Jirang	88.15%	J. Dringwell Rymbai		UDP	5,830	26.85%	William Mynsong		INC	4,350	20.03%	1,480
12	Mairang	92.55%	Metbah Lyngdoh		UDP	10,642	44.4%	Boldness L. Nongrum		INC	8,768	36.58%	1,874
13	Nongspung	91.96%	J. Antonius Lyngdoh		UDP	7,896	41.79%	Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem		INC	7,149	37.84%	747
14	Sohiong	93.79%	H. Donkupar R. Lyngdoh		INC	8,500	38.03%	Rain Augustine Lyngdoh		UDP	6,827	30.55%	1,673
15	Mylliem	86.86%	Ronnie V. Lyngdoh		INC	9,130	47.45%	Pynshai Manik Syiem		NCP	7,714	40.09%	1,416
16	Malki-Nongthymmai	79.92%	Bindo Lanong		UDP	5,029	31.58%	Tony Curtis Lyngdoh		INC	4,166	26.16%	863
17	Laitumkhrah	77.28%	Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh		UDP	3,775	34.1%	Malcolm B. Tariang		Independent	2,182	19.71%	1,593
18	Pynthorumkhrah	80.58%	Alexander Laloo Hek		BJP	13,086	62.55%	James Marvin Pariat		NCP	4,527	21.64%	8,559
19	Jaiaw	84.32%	Paul Lyngdoh		KHNAM	9,643	76.59%	A. H. Scott Lyngdoh		INC	2,948	23.41%	6,695
20	Mawkhar	79.89%	Dr. Friday Lyngdoh		INC	2,413	38.73%	Ganold Stone Massar		UDP	1,836	29.47%	577
21	Mawprem	79.75%	Manas Chaudhuri		Independent	7,833	52.19%	Binod Kr Joshi		INC	5,155	34.35%	2,678
22	Laban	81.05%	Sanbor Shullai		NCP	4,741	44.59%	Edward L Kharwanlang		BJP	2,303	21.66%	2,438
23	Mawlai	85.55%	Founder Strong Cajee		INC	12,490	53.59%	Process T. Sawkmie		UDP	9,411	40.38%	3,079
24	Sohryngkham	87.39%	Charles Pyngrope		INC	9,639	46.99%	Dr. Osaphi Smithson Jyrwa		KHNAM	5,458	26.61%	4,181
25	Dienglieng	94.12%	Remington Pyngrope		UDP	4,525	27.67%	Martle N Mukhim		MDP	4,459	27.26%	66
26	Nongkrem	90.24%	Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit		UDP	4,845	23.81%	Lambor Malngiang		KHNAM	4,128	20.29%	717
27	Langkyrdem	90.39%	Prestone Tynsong		INC	7,356	41.87%	Dominic Roblin Nongkynrih		KHNAM	6,553	37.3%	803
28	Nongshken	92.09%	Don Kupar Massar		Independent	5,522	37.86%	Khan Khong Dkhar		INC	4,550	31.19%	972
29	Sohra	91.%	Dr. Phlour W. Khongjee		INC	4,579	29.5%	Titosstar Well Chyne		UDP	4,107	26.46%	472
30	Shella	89.99%	Dr. Donkupar Roy		UDP	4,238	41.87%	Leston Wanswett		INC	3,299	32.59%	939
31	Mawsynram	91.17%	Pynshngainlang Syiem		INC	4,859	30.37%	Khrawkupar Jyrwa		NCP	4,601	28.76%	258
32	Mawkyrwat	92.23%	Rowell Lyngdoh		INC	5,838	32.03%	Enbin Kharraswai		HSPDP	4,510	24.75%	1,328
33	Pariong	93.49%	Dr. Adviser Pariong		HSPDP	8,225	50.18%	Irin Lyngdoh		INC	7,199	43.92%	1,026
34	Nongstoin	79.71%	Hopingstone Lyngdoh		HSPDP	10,537	37.78%	David Hamar Marwein		Independent	4,949	17.74%	5,588
35	Langrin	91.25%	Martin M. Danggo		INC	9,100	46.89%	Khranglin Lyngkhoi		UDP	5,026	25.9%	4,074
36	Mawthengkut	88.62%	Francis Pondit R. Sangma		INC	6,451	31.35%	K. Phlasting Well Pangniang		HSPDP	4,126	20.05%	2,325
37	Baghmara	88.5%	Satto R. Marak		NCP	7,419	45.88%	Arjun W. Momin		INC	5,504	34.04%	1,915
38	Rongrenggiri	85.84%	Marcuise N. Marak		NCP	11,942	46.65%	Debora C. Marak		INC	8,581	33.52%	3,361
39	Rongjeng	88.84%	Desang M.Sangma		NCP	7,891	49.48%	Sengnam Marak		INC	4,580	28.72%	3,311
40	Kharkutta	89.9%	Omillo K.Sangma		NCP	6,424	33.33%	Rupert Momin		Independent	6,117	31.74%	307
41	Mendipathar	90.66%	Frankenstein W. Momin		INC	4,647	23.37%	Beninstand G. Momin		UDP	4,461	22.43%	186
42	Resubelpara	90.05%	Timothy Shira		NCP	7,884	45.44%	Salseng C. Marak		INC	7,592	43.76%	292
43	Songsak	92.67%	Nihim D. Shira		NCP	5,687	33.15%	Tonsing N Marak		INC	5,357	31.23%	330
44	Bajengdoba	93.12%	John Manner Marak		NCP	7,084	40.67%	Chamberline B. Marak		INC	5,938	34.09%	1,146
45	Tikrikilla	89.2%	Limison Sangma		Independent	5,583	35.29%	Nagendra Rabha		Independent	4,576	28.92%	1,007
46	Dadenggre	91.91%	Augustine D.Marak		INC	8,401	39.32%	Edmund K.Sangma		NCP	7,176	33.58%	1,225
47	Rongchugiri	95.36%	James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma		NCP	5,877	41.82%	Beckster Sangma		INC	4,439	31.59%	1,438
48	Phulbari	90.43%	Abu Taher Mondal		Independent	7,492	32.11%	Manirul Islam Sarkar		INC	5,074	21.75%	2,418
49	Rajabala	92.33%	Sayeedullah Nongrum		INC	7,970	38.04%	Ashahel D. Shira		NCP	6,308	30.11%	1,662
50	Selsella	92.68%	Conrad Sangma		NCP	5,648	42.66%	Clement Marak		INC	4,254	32.13%	1,394
51	Rongram	90.41%	Ismail R. Marak		Independent	5,260	29.19%	Sengman R. Marak		INC	3,726	20.68%	1,534
52	Tura	77.41%	Purno Agitok Sangma		NCP	10,881	35.41%	Billy Kid A. Sangma		Independent	8,056	26.22%	2,825
53	Chokpot	91.75%	Masonsing Sangma		NCP	3,888	26.46%	Clifford Marak		GNC	2,935	19.97%	953
54	Kherapara	92.11%	Phillipole Marak		NCP	9,587	58.86%	Brening Sangma		INC	5,371	32.97%	4,216
55	Dalu	91.32%	Samuel Sangma		INC	4,886	35.54%	Nityanarayan Smchang		Independent	4,606	33.5%	280
56	Dalamgiri	94.32%	Saleng Sangma		INC	6,900	47.3%	Admiral K. Sangma		NCP	5,786	39.66%	1,114
57	Rangsakona	94.68%	Adolf Lu Hitler Marak		NCP	8,193	54.01%	Zenith Sangma		INC	6,354	41.89%	1,839
58	Ampatigiri	90.53%	Dr. Mukul Sangma		INC	10,626	55.47%	Clement G. Momin		NCP	7,660	39.99%	2,966
59	Salmanpara	90.15%	Nimarson Momin		UDP	5,632	32.22%	Boston Marak		Independent	4,895	28.01%	737
60	Mahendraganj	91.58%	Abdus Saleh		INC	7,017	43.32%	Nidhu Ram Hajong		Independent	6,143	37.92%	874

References

1. "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.
2. "Lapang sworn in Meghalaya CM, MPA to move SC". Rediff.com. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
3. "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.
4. ^[ permanent dead link ]
5. "Lapang out, Rymbai is new Meghalaya CM". The Indian Express. India. 16 June 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
6. "The Telegraph Calcutta : Frontpage". The Telegraph . Kolkota, India. 16 June 2006. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
7. "Meghalaya CM Rymbai finally resigns". Rediff.com. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
8. "Lapang is Meghalaya CM, Rymbai resigns". Hindustan Times. India. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2011.^{[ dead link ]}
9. Kashyap, Shreesha. "CoolAge – College Life on the Go". Aol.in. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
10. "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.
11. ^[ permanent dead link ]
12. "Meghalaya poll concludes peacefully; Nagaland gears up". Newstrackindia.com. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
13. "Poll record in Meghalaya". The Telegraph . Kolkota, India. 5 March 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
14. ^[ permanent dead link ]
15. ^[ permanent dead link ]
16. ^[ permanent dead link ]
17. "General Election to Legislative Assembly, Mar 2008 - Valid Votes Secured" (PDF). ceomeghalaya.nic.in. Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya. Archived from the original (pdf) on 4 January 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2025.

External links

• Election Commission of India
• Government of Meghalaya
• Meghalaya Legislative Assembly