2008 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

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2008 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election
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←  2003 3 Mar 2008 2013  →
59 seats in the Assembly
Turnout89.84%
 Majority partyMinority party
  Mukul Sangma.jpg Indian Election Symbol Drums.png
Leader Mukul Sangma Donkupar Roy
Party INC UDP
Last election229 seats
Seats won2511
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 3Increase2.svg 2
Popular vote362617202511
Percentage32.90%18.37%
SwingIncrease2.svg2.94Increase2.svg2.38
Meghalaya Meghalaya in India.png
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.

Contents

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.

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
India Meghalaya Legislative Assembly 2008.svg
PartySeats
contested		Seats
won		No. of
Votes		 % of
Votes		 % in Seats
contested		Seats
Forfeited		2003
Seats
Bharatiya Janata Party 23129,4652.71%7.04%21
Communist Party of India 302820.03%0.53%3
Indian National Congress 5925357,11332.88%32.88%9
Nationalist Congress Party 4914221,34120.38%24.32%15
Lok Janshakti Party 1806,8270.63%2.02%18
Meghalaya Democratic Party 18030,6912.83%8.82%15
United Democratic Party 5311201,97618.37%20.49%21
Garo National Council 404,0810.38%6.65%3
Hill State People's Democratic Party 15242,2353.89%13.97%10
Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement 16148,8334.50%16.88%9
Independents 735143,12213.18%25.22%55
Total331591,085,966179

[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

ConstituencyReserved for
(SC/ST/None)		MemberParty
War-jaintiaSTLahkmen Rymbui Indian National Congress
RymbaiSTNehlang Lyngdoh Indian National Congress
Sutnga-shangpungSTShitlang Pale Indian National Congress
RaliangSTComingone Ymbon Indian National Congress
NartiangSTE. C. Boniface Bamon Nationalist Congress Party
Nongbah-wahiajerSTSniawbhalang Dhar Indian National Congress
JowaiSTRoytre Christopher Laloo Indian National Congress
MawhatiSTDonbok Khymdeit United Democratic Party
UmroiSTE.k.mawlong United Democratic Party
NongpohSTDr. D.d. Lapang Indian National Congress
JirangSTJ. Dringwell Rymbai United Democratic Party
MairangSTMetbah Lyngdoh United Democratic Party
NongspungSTJ. Antonius Lyngdoh United Democratic Party
SohiongSTH. Donkupar R. Lyngdoh Indian National Congress
MylliemSTRonnie V. Lyngdoh Indian National Congress
Malki-nongthymmaiSTB.m. Lanong United Democratic Party
LaitumkharahSTM. Ampareen Lyngdoh United Democratic Party
PynthorumkhrahNoneA.l. Hek Bharatiya Janata Party
JaiawSTPaul Lyngdoh Khun Hynnieutrip National Awakaning Movement
MawkharSTDr Friday Lyngdoh Indian National Congress
MawpremNoneManas Chaudhuri Independent
LabanNoneSanbor Shullai Nationalist Congress Party
MawlaiSTFounder Strong Cajee Indian National Congress
SohryngkhamSTCharles Pyngrope Indian National Congress
DiengliengSTRemington Pyngrope United Democratic Party
NongkremSTArdent Miller Basaiawmoit United Democratic Party
LyngkyrdemSTPrestone Tynsong Indian National Congress
NongshkenSTDon Kupar Massar Independent
SohraSTDr. Phlour W. Khongjee Indian National Congress
ShellaSTDr. Donkupar Roy United Democratic Party
MawsynramSTPynshngainlang Syiem Indian National Congress
MawkyrwatSTRowell Lyngdoh Indian National Congress
PariongSTDr. Adviser Pariong Hill State People's Democratic Party
NongstoinSTHopingstone Lyngdoh Hill State People's Democratic Party
LangrinSTMartin M. Danggo Indian National Congress
MawthengkutSTFrancis Pondit R. Sangma Indian National Congress
BaghmaraSTSatto Marak Nationalist Congress Party
RongrenggiriSTShri.marcuise N.marak Nationalist Congress Party
RongjengSTShri.desang M.sangma Nationalist Congress Party
KharkuttaSTShri.omillo K.sangma Nationalist Congress Party
MendipatharSTFrankenstein Momin Indian National Congress
ResubelparaSTTimothy Shira Nationalist Congress Party
SongsakSTShri.nihim D.shira Nationalist Congress Party
BajengdobaSTJohn Manner Marak Nationalist Congress Party
TikrikillaSTLimison Sangma Independent
DadenggiriSTAugustine D.marak Indian National Congress
RongchugiriSTJames Pangsang Kongkal Sangma Nationalist Congress Party
PhulbariNone Abu Taher Mondal Independent
RajabalaST Sayeedullah Nongrum Indian National Congress
SelsellaSTConrad Kongkal Sangma Nationalist Congress Party
RongramSTIsmail R.marak Independent
TuraSTPurno Agitok Sangma Nationalist Congress Party
ChokpotSTMasonsing Sangma Nationalist Congress Party
KheraparaSTPhillipole Marak Nationalist Congress Party
DaluSTSamuel Sangma Indian National Congress
DalamgiriSTSaleng Sangma Indian National Congress
RangsakonaSTAdolf Lu Hitler R. Marak Nationalist Congress Party
AmpatigiriSTDr. Mukul Sangma Indian National Congress
SalmanpuraSTNimarson Momin United Democratic Party
MahendraganjNone Abdus Saleh Indian National Congress

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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 ]
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