Tura, April 21: NPP’s Benedic Marak was elected on Thursday as the Chief Executive Member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

Benedic secured 16 votes, while the Congress candidate secured 12 votes. Going by the numbers, it looks that Bernard Marak has also voted for the ruling alliance candidate.

The voting began at 11 am with 28 elected MDCs exercising their franchise, as Chairman Rakesh Sangma presided over the proceedings.

Opposition Congress party had fielded MDC from Dengnakpara, Sadhiarani M Sangma, to take on the NPP led alliance candidate Benedic R Marak in the election to the CEM’s post.

While Benedic Marak filed his nomination for the CEM election as the NPP candidate, the candidature of Congress leader Zenith Sangma’s wife was seconded by Congress MDCs Ashahel D Shira and Cherak W Momin on Wednesday.

Both, Sadhiarani Sangma and Benedic Marak are second term MDCs and the NPP candidate is also a sitting MLA of Raksamgre constituency.