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2008 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

Field	Value
election_name	2008 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election
country	India
type	legislative
ongoing	no
previous_election	2003 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election
previous_year	2003
next_election	2013 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election
next_year	2013
seats_for_election	59 seats in the Assembly
election_date	3 Mar 2008
turnout	89.84%
image1
leader1	Mukul Sangma
party1	Indian National Congress
last_election1	22
seats1	25
seat_change1	3
popular_vote1	362,617
percentage1	32.90%
swing1	2.94%
image2
leader2	P. A. Sangma
party2	Nationalist Congress Party
last_election2	14
seats2	14
seat_change2
popular_vote2	221,341
percentage2	24.32%
swing2	0.98%

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. 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. 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

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.

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. 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. This time Lapang held onto the post until the completion of the term of the 7th Meghalaya Assembly.

Parties contested

Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
Indian National Congress	[[File:Indian National Congress Flag.svg	50px]]	[[File:Hand INC.svg	50px]]	Mukul Sangma
Meghalaya United Democratic Party	[[File:Blank.svg	50px]]	[[File:Indian Election Symbol Drums.png	50px]]	Donkupar Roy
Nationalist Congress Party	[[File:Flag of Nationalist Congress Party.svg	50px]]	[[File:Clock symbol of NCP.png	50px]]	P. A. Sangma
Bharatiya Janata Party	[[File:BJP flag.svg	50px]]	[[File:Lotus flower symbol.svg	50px]]	Rajnath Singh
Lok Jan Shakti Party	[[File:Lok Janshakti Party Flag.svg	50px]]		Ram Vilas Paswan
Meghalaya Democratic Party	[[File:Blank.svg	50px]]	[[File:Blank.svg	50px]]
Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement	[[File:Blank.svg	50px]]	[[File:Blank.svg	50px]]
Hill State People's Democratic Party	[[File:Blank.svg	50px]]	[[File:Indian Election Symbol Lion.svg	50px]]
Garo National Council	[[File:Blank.svg	50px]]	[[File:Blank.svg	50px]]
Communist Party of India	[[File:CPI-banner.svg	50px]]	[[File:CPI symbol.svg	50px]]	A. B. Bardhan

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), 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.

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.

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.

Voter turnout of 89.05% was a record for the state. High voter turnout was reported from almost all rural constituencies. Voter turnout for the Baghmara seat on 22 Mar 2008 was 88.50%. Combined voter turnout across the state was 89.44%.

Results

[[File:India Meghalaya Legislative Assembly 2008.svg]]	Party	Seats
contested	Seats
won	No. of
Votes	% of
Votes	% in Seats
contested	Seats
Forfeited	2003
Seats	Total	331	59	1,085,966	179
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

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

Assembly Constituency	Turnout	Winner	Runner Up	#k	Names	%	Party	Votes	%	Candidate
1	War-Jaintia	92.42%	Lahkmen Rymbui	6,896	36.4%	Rianglenon Tariang	5,996	31.65%	Indian National Congress}}"	900
2	Rymbai	90.74%	Nehlang Lyngdoh	12,893	47.9%	Simon Siangshai	5,856	21.76%	Indian National Congress}}"	7,037
3	Sutnga-Shangpung	92.13%	Shitlang Pale	9,814	50.99%	Richard Singh Lyngdoh	7,938	41.24%	Indian National Congress}}"	1,876
4	Raliang	95.91%	Comingone Ymbon	12,756	55.45%	Mihsalan Suchiang	6,913	30.05%	Indian National Congress}}"	5,843
5	Nartiang	94.15%	E. C. Boniface Bamon	7,120	35.4%	Draison Kharshiing	6,669	33.15%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	451
6	Nongbah-Wahiajer	95.31%	Sniawbhalang Dhar	8,452	40.94%	Thawain Plain	6,973	33.78%	Indian National Congress}}"	1,479
7	Jowai	92.16%	Dr. Roytre Christopher Laloo	7,712	40.15%	Singh Mulieh	7,119	37.06%	Indian National Congress}}"	593
8	Mawhati	93.2%	Donbok Khymdeit	6,112	30.8%	Phingwel Muktieh	5,725	28.85%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	387
9	Umroi	91.13%	E. K. Mawlong	10,226	43.4%	Stanlywiss Rymbai	9,261	39.3%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	965
10	Nongpoh	90.74%	Dr. D. D. Lapang	10,974	50.68%	Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh	10,254	47.35%	Indian National Congress}}"	720
11	Jirang	88.15%	J. Dringwell Rymbai	5,830	26.85%	William Mynsong	4,350	20.03%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	1,480
12	Mairang	92.55%	Metbah Lyngdoh	10,642	44.4%	Boldness L. Nongrum	8,768	36.58%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	1,874
13	Nongspung	91.96%	J. Antonius Lyngdoh	7,896	41.79%	Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem	7,149	37.84%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	747
14	Sohiong	93.79%	H. Donkupar R. Lyngdoh	8,500	38.03%	Rain Augustine Lyngdoh	6,827	30.55%	Indian National Congress}}"	1,673
15	Mylliem	86.86%	Ronnie V. Lyngdoh	9,130	47.45%	Pynshai Manik Syiem	7,714	40.09%	Indian National Congress}}"	1,416
16	Malki-Nongthymmai	79.92%	Bindo Lanong	5,029	31.58%	Tony Curtis Lyngdoh	4,166	26.16%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	863
17	Laitumkhrah	77.28%	Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh	3,775	34.1%	Malcolm B. Tariang	2,182	19.71%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	1,593
18	Pynthorumkhrah	80.58%	Alexander Laloo Hek	13,086	62.55%	James Marvin Pariat	4,527	21.64%	Bharatiya Janata Party}}"	8,559
19	Jaiaw	84.32%	Paul Lyngdoh	9,643	76.59%	A. H. Scott Lyngdoh	2,948	23.41%	Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement}}"	6,695
20	Mawkhar	79.89%	Dr. Friday Lyngdoh	2,413	38.73%	Ganold Stone Massar	1,836	29.47%	Indian National Congress}}"	577
21	Mawprem	79.75%	Manas Chaudhuri	7,833	52.19%	Binod Kr Joshi	5,155	34.35%	Independent politician}}"	2,678
22	Laban	81.05%	Sanbor Shullai	4,741	44.59%	Edward L Kharwanlang	2,303	21.66%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	2,438
23	Mawlai	85.55%	Founder Strong Cajee	12,490	53.59%	Process T. Sawkmie	9,411	40.38%	Indian National Congress}}"	3,079
24	Sohryngkham	87.39%	Charles Pyngrope	9,639	46.99%	Dr. Osaphi Smithson Jyrwa	5,458	26.61%	Indian National Congress}}"	4,181
25	Dienglieng	94.12%	Remington Pyngrope	4,525	27.67%	Martle N Mukhim	4,459	27.26%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	66
26	Nongkrem	90.24%	Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit	4,845	23.81%	Lambor Malngiang	4,128	20.29%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	717
27	Langkyrdem	90.39%	Prestone Tynsong	7,356	41.87%	Dominic Roblin Nongkynrih	6,553	37.3%	Indian National Congress}}"	803
28	Nongshken	92.09%	Don Kupar Massar	5,522	37.86%	Khan Khong Dkhar	4,550	31.19%	Independent politician}}"	972
29	Sohra	91.%	Dr. Phlour W. Khongjee	4,579	29.5%	Titosstar Well Chyne	4,107	26.46%	Indian National Congress}}"	472
30	Shella	89.99%	Dr. Donkupar Roy	4,238	41.87%	Leston Wanswett	3,299	32.59%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	939
31	Mawsynram	91.17%	Pynshngainlang Syiem	4,859	30.37%	Khrawkupar Jyrwa	4,601	28.76%	Indian National Congress}}"	258
32	Mawkyrwat	92.23%	Rowell Lyngdoh	5,838	32.03%	Enbin Kharraswai	4,510	24.75%	Indian National Congress}}"	1,328
33	Pariong	93.49%	Dr. Adviser Pariong	8,225	50.18%	Irin Lyngdoh	7,199	43.92%	Hill State People's Democratic Party}}"	1,026
34	Nongstoin	79.71%	Hopingstone Lyngdoh	10,537	37.78%	David Hamar Marwein	4,949	17.74%	Hill State People's Democratic Party}}"	5,588
35	Langrin	91.25%	Martin M. Danggo	9,100	46.89%	Khranglin Lyngkhoi	5,026	25.9%	Indian National Congress}}"	4,074
36	Mawthengkut	88.62%	Francis Pondit R. Sangma	6,451	31.35%	K. Phlasting Well Pangniang	4,126	20.05%	Indian National Congress}}"	2,325
37	Baghmara	88.5%	Satto R. Marak	7,419	45.88%	Arjun W. Momin	5,504	34.04%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	1,915
38	Rongrenggiri	85.84%	Marcuise N. Marak	11,942	46.65%	Debora C. Marak	8,581	33.52%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	3,361
39	Rongjeng	88.84%	Desang M.Sangma	7,891	49.48%	Sengnam Marak	4,580	28.72%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	3,311
40	Kharkutta	89.9%	Omillo K.Sangma	6,424	33.33%	Rupert Momin	6,117	31.74%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	307
41	Mendipathar	90.66%	Frankenstein W. Momin	4,647	23.37%	Beninstand G. Momin	4,461	22.43%	Indian National Congress}}"	186
42	Resubelpara	90.05%	Timothy Shira	7,884	45.44%	Salseng C. Marak	7,592	43.76%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	292
43	Songsak	92.67%	Nihim D. Shira	5,687	33.15%	Tonsing N Marak	5,357	31.23%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	330
44	Bajengdoba	93.12%	John Manner Marak	7,084	40.67%	Chamberline B. Marak	5,938	34.09%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	1,146
45	Tikrikilla	89.2%	Limison Sangma	5,583	35.29%	Nagendra Rabha	4,576	28.92%	Independent politician}}"	1,007
46	Dadenggre	91.91%	Augustine D.Marak	8,401	39.32%	Edmund K.Sangma	7,176	33.58%	Indian National Congress}}"	1,225
47	Rongchugiri	95.36%	James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma	5,877	41.82%	Beckster Sangma	4,439	31.59%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	1,438
48	Phulbari	90.43%	Abu Taher Mondal	7,492	32.11%	Manirul Islam Sarkar	5,074	21.75%	Independent politician}}"	2,418
49	Rajabala	92.33%	Sayeedullah Nongrum	7,970	38.04%	Ashahel D. Shira	6,308	30.11%	Indian National Congress}}"	1,662
50	Selsella	92.68%	Conrad Sangma	5,648	42.66%	Clement Marak	4,254	32.13%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	1,394
51	Rongram	90.41%	Ismail R. Marak	5,260	29.19%	Sengman R. Marak	3,726	20.68%	Independent politician}}"	1,534
52	Tura	77.41%	Purno Agitok Sangma	10,881	35.41%	Billy Kid A. Sangma	8,056	26.22%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	2,825
53	Chokpot	91.75%	Masonsing Sangma	3,888	26.46%	Clifford Marak	2,935	19.97%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	953
54	Kherapara	92.11%	Phillipole Marak	9,587	58.86%	Brening Sangma	5,371	32.97%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	4,216
55	Dalu	91.32%	Samuel Sangma	4,886	35.54%	Nityanarayan Smchang	4,606	33.5%	Indian National Congress}}"	280
56	Dalamgiri	94.32%	Saleng Sangma	6,900	47.3%	Admiral K. Sangma	5,786	39.66%	Indian National Congress}}"	1,114
57	Rangsakona	94.68%	Adolf Lu Hitler Marak	8,193	54.01%	Zenith Sangma	6,354	41.89%	Nationalist Congress Party}}"	1,839
58	Ampatigiri	90.53%	Dr. Mukul Sangma	10,626	55.47%	Clement G. Momin	7,660	39.99%	Indian National Congress}}"	2,966
59	Salmanpara	90.15%	Nimarson Momin	5,632	32.22%	Boston Marak	4,895	28.01%	United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}"	737
60	Mahendraganj	91.58%	Abdus Saleh	7,017	43.32%	Nidhu Ram Hajong	6,143	37.92%	Indian National Congress}}"	874

References

"UDP-NCP, Cong stake claim to form govt in Meghalaya – India News – IBNLive". Ibnlive.in.com.
"Lapang sworn in Meghalaya CM, MPA to move SC". Rediff.com.
(10 May 2011). "Lapang Govt falls in Meghalaya, Roy appointed CM". Ibnlive.in.com.
[http://www.eci.gov.in/press/current/PN140108.pdf] {{Dead link. (April 2019)
(16 June 2006). "Lapang out, Rymbai is new Meghalaya CM". The Indian Express.
(16 June 2006). "The Telegraph Calcutta : Frontpage". [[The Telegraph (India).
"Meghalaya CM Rymbai finally resigns". Rediff.com.
(10 March 2007). "Lapang is Meghalaya CM, Rymbai resigns". Hindustan Times.
Kashyap, Shreesha. "CoolAge – College Life on the Go". Aol.in.
"Meghalaya goes to polls today | Key issues – Business News – IBNLive". Ibnlive.in.com.
[http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/candidatewise/AE_2008.xls] {{Dead link. (April 2019)
"Meghalaya poll concludes peacefully; Nagaland gears up". Newstrackindia.com.
(5 March 2008). "Poll record in Meghalaya". [[The Telegraph (India).
[http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2008/pollupd/ac/states/s15/Partycomp37.htm] {{dead link. (January 2018)
[http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2008/pollupd/ac/states/S15/a_index.htm] {{dead link. (January 2018)
[http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE2008/StatReport2008_MG.pdf] {{dead link. (January 2018)
"General Election to Legislative Assembly, Mar 2008 - Valid Votes Secured". [[Chief Electoral Officer (India).

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