Shillong, March 2: The counting of votes for the 59 assembly constituencies that went to polls on February 27 to elect representatives to the 11th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will begin at 8 am onwards on Thursday. The Election Commission of India has set up 13 counting centres across the 12 districts for the counting of votes.

The overall poll percentage was recorded at 85.51 per cent for the Feb 27 polling.

Thursday’s results will decide the fate of the 369 candidates.

The postal ballots will be counted first, followed by the votes polled in the EVMs. There will be a total of 383 rounds of counting, with a maximum of 9 rounds for the biggest AC Mawlai in East Khasi Hills District and 4 rounds for smaller ACs like Dalu in West Garo Hills District.

National People’s Party (NPP), BJP, Trinamool Congress (TMC), UDP, HSPDP, Congress, VPP are the major parties in the fray.

Follows the latest updates here:

5:40 PM: Drama in the Mylliem seat continues to unravel as the Congress’ Ronnie V. Lyngdoh has been declared winner after the counting of postal ballots. Ronnie polled 8904 after counting of postal votes. Earlier, based on EVMs alone, he had got 8616 votes. His rival Aibandaplin F. Lyngdoh of VPP has secured 8689 votes from EVMs but after the counting of postal ballots, he had polled 8866, 38 votes behind Ronnie. However, reports are coming in that recounting is being done. Stay tuned for the final verdict.

5:20 PM: In another dramatic result, Lahkmen Rymbui of UDP has won the Amlarem seat after the counting of postal ballots. Rymbui secured a total of 17803 votes – 17457 from EVMs and 346 from postal votes. His nearest rival, Stephanson Mukhim of NPP secured 17746 votes – 17488 from EVMs and 258 from postal Ballots.

5:10 PM: In dramatic turn of events, Aibandaplin F. Lyngdoh of VPP won the Mylliem seat by edging past Congress’ Ronnie V. Lyngdoh in 8th round of counting. The result for the constituency were declared after Round 7, however, there was some confusion and there were reports malfunction of EVMs in Lumpdeng Polling station. Following this 8th round of counting was held, in which Aibandaplin edged past of Ronnie by a margin of 73 votes.

4:20 PM: Arbinstone B Marak of NPP wins Selsella seat by a huge margin of 8657 votes.

4:05 PM: Dr. Mizanur Rahman Kazi of AITC wins Rajabala by a thin margin of 22 votes. Dr. Mizanur polled 12,561 whereas his nearest rival Md Abdus Saleh of NPP polled 12,539 votes. Due to thin margin of victory, recounting is currently underway for the constituency. Recounting is also underway for Dadenggre where AITC’s Rupa M Marak won the seat by a margin of mere 7 votes against James PK Sangma of NPP.

4:02 PM: NPP chief Conrad K. Sangma wins South Tura seat with a margin of over 2800 votes.

4:01 PM: Marcuise N Marak of NPP wins Williamnagar seat with a margin of 3715 votes.

3:45 PM: Raksamgre seat won by Limison D. Sangma of NPP by securing 12,123 votes. He defeated his nearest rival Benedic R. Marak of BJP by a vote margin of 2795 votes.

3:44 PM: Ronnie V. Lyngdoh of Indian National Congress (INC) wins from Mylliem after a close fight with his nearest rival Aibandaplin F. Lyngdoh of VPP by a margin of just 79 votes.

3:40 PM: AITC leader Charles Pyngrope wins Nongthymmai seat

3:35 PM: Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit of VPP wins Nongkrem seat

3:30 PM: Sosthenes Sohtun of NPP wins from Jirang seat.

3:27 PM: Kyrmen Shylla of UDP wins from Khliehriat by polling 23,011 votes. He defeated his nearest rival by a margin of 5492 votes.

3:25 PM: Mayralborn Syiem of UDP wins from Nongpoh with a margin of 6326 votes

3:22 PM: Gabriel Wahlang of Indian National Congress (INC) wins from Nongstoin

3:20 PM: Pius Marwein of UDP wins from Ranikor

3:15 PM: Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh of Indian National Congress (INC) wins Umsning seat.

3:11 PM: Close fight between Mukul Sangma and Nihim D Shira in Songsak. Mukul ahead of Nihim with a margin of 359 votes.

3:10 PM: Meghalaya Congress chief Vincent H. Pala defeated from Sutnga Saipung seat. Santa Mary Shylla of NPP has won the seat. She won by a margin of 1923 vote.

3:01 PM: A tight fight in Mylliem. Ronnie V. Lyngdoh of INC is ahead of his nearest rival Aibandaplin F. Lyngdoh of VPP by just 155 votes. Sitting legislator Hamletson Dohling of NPP is at 3rd spot with a vote deference of 482 against that of Ronnie.

3:00 PM: Recounting of votes happening in Dadenggre. AITC’s Rupa M Marak won the seat by a margin of just 7 votes against James PK Sangma of NPP.

2:44 PM: Methodius Dkhar of Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) wins Mawshynrut seat by a margin of over 5000 votes.

2:40 PM: Brightstarwell Marbaniang of VPP wins Mawlai seat by a huge margin of 15,255 votes. He polled 23632 votes. His nearest rival Teiborlang Pathaw of NPP polled 8377 votes.

2: 35 PM: Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah of UDP wins Mawphlang seat

2:30 PM: Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar of UDP wins Mawkyrwat seat

2:28 PM: Charles Marngar of Indian National Congress (INC) wins Mawhati seat

2:25 PM: Abu Taher Mondal of NPP wins Phulbari seat

2:20 PM: Independent candidate Kartush R. Marak wins Baghmara seat

2:15 PM: Independent candidate Remington Gabil Momin wins Rambrai Jyrngam seat

2:10 PM: Damanbait Lamare of NPP wins Umroi seat, defeats AITC’s George B. Lyngdoh

2:05 PM: Sanbor Shullai wins South Shillong Constituency

1:45 pm: Heaving Stone Kharpran of VPP wins Mawryngkneng seat

1:40 pm: Jim M Sangma of NPP wins Rongjeng seat

1:20 pm: Balajied Kupar Synrem of UDP wins from Shella seats and Gavin Miguel Mylliem of PDF wins from Sohra

1:18 pm: Jimmy D Sangma of NPP wins Tikrikilla seat by securing 13150 seats. Mukul Sangma loses by a margin of 5310 votes.

1:15 pm: Stephen Mukhim of NPP wins from Amlarem

1:10 pm: Adelbert Nongrum of VPP wins North Shillong seat

1:02 pm: Ollan Singh Suin of United Democratic Party (UDP) wins Mawsynram seat.

12:58 pm: South Tura – Conrad K. Sangma leads with 10090 votes after 3rd round of counting, leading his nearest rival by 2830 votes. He is trailed by BJP’s Bernard N. Marak who has polled 7260 votes.

12:55 pm: Sutnga-Saipung – Santa Mary Shylla of NPP leads after round 5 with 15,414 votes. Santa is trailed by Congress leader Vincent H Pala with 13395 votes.

12:40 pm: Banteidor Lyngdoh of PDF wins Mawkynrew seat with a margin of 413 votes.

12:30 pm: AITC’s Rupa M. Marak wins Dadenggre seat with a margin of just 7 votes. Defeats NPP’s James K Sangma. Rupa polled 15619 votes while James polled 15612 votes.

12:20 pm: AITC leader Mukul Sangma leads in Songsak with a margin of just 77 votes after 3rd round of counting. NPP Nihim D Shira is at 2nd spot.

12:18 pm: NPP’s Jimmy D. Sangma leading with 10857 votes after 5th round of counting. At second spot is BJP’s Rahinath Barchung with 7508 votes. AITC leader Mukul Sangma is at 3rd spot with 6868 votes

12:15 pm: Prestone Tynsong wins Pynursla seat

12:10 pm: Ampareen Lyngdoh of NPP wins East Shillong seat

12:08 pm: Metbah Lyngdoh of UDP wins Mairang seat

12:06 pm: TMC’s Rupa Marak leading with 11056 votes, followed by NPP’s James K Sangma with 10294 votes after 4th Round

12:05 pm: AL Hek of BJP wins Pynthorumkhrah seat

12:04 pm: Banteidor Lyngdoh of People’s Democratic Front (PDF) leading in Mawkynrew

12:03 pm: Charles Marngar of Indian National Congress (INC) leading in Mawhati

12:03 pm: Metbah Lyngdoh of UDP leads in Mairang

12:01 pm: Sosthenes Sohtun of NPP leading in Jirang

11:59 am: Kyrmen Shylla of UDP leading in Khliehriat

11:58 am: Independent candidate Kartush R. Marak leading in Baghmara

11:56 am: Brightstarwell Marbaniang of VPP leading in Mawlai after 5th round. He has polled 14405, his nearest rival Teiborlang Pathaw of NPP has polled 5091 votes.

11:54 am: NPP leads in Selsella after 3rd Round

11:52 am: North Shillong – VPP Candidate Adelbert Nongrum leads from North Shillong by over 800 voter margin

11:50 am: Miani D. Shira of AITC wins Ampati seat

11:45 am: NPP’s Subir Marak wins Rangsakona by defeating AITC’s Zenith M Sangma

11:40 am: Mukul Sangma trailing by 3500 votes after 4th round in Tikrikilla against NPP Jimmy Sangma

11:30 am: Paul Lyngdoh wins from West Shillong by 3500

11:28 am: Ian Botham K. Sangma of NPP wins from Salmanpara

11:26 am: Coming One Ymbon of NPP wins Raliang seat

11:24 am: Wailadmiki Shylla of NPP wins from Jowai

11:22 am: Sniawbhalang Dhar of NPP wins from Nartiang by 2123 votes margin. He polled 16601 votes.

11:20 am: NPP wins from Chokpot, Mahendraganj, Raksamgre, Siju Rongara. Wins all 4 seats in North Garo Hills

11:10 am: Sanjay A. Sangma of National People’s Party (NPP) wins from Mahendraganj. Defeats sitting legislator Dikkanchi D Shira of AITC. Dikkanchi is wife of AITC leader Dr. Mukul Sangma.

10:55 am: Marthon J Sangma of NPP wins from Mendipathar seat.

10:53 am: Brening A Sangma of NPP has won Dalu seat defeating BJP’s Akki A Sangma by a close margin

10:50 am: Timothy D. Shira of NPP wins from Resubelpara

10:45 am: Dadenggre 3rd Round: TMC’s Rupa Marak leading 8670 votes, followed by NPP’s James K Sangma with 7675 votes

10:33 am: Mylliem 2nd round: Aibandaplin F. Lyngdoh of Voice of the People Party (VPP) leads with 3566 votes, Hamletson Dohling of NPP at 2nd spot with 2567 votes.

10:31 am: Selsella 2nd round: Arbinstone B Marak of NPP leads with 5212, Agassi R. Marak of AITC at 2nd with 2772 votes

10:30 am: Rangsakona 3rd round: Subir Marak of NPP leads with 7711 votes, Zenith M Sangma of AITC at 2nd place with 6831 votes, BJP’s Dipul R. Marak follows at 3rd place with 2505 votes.

10:29 am: Ampati: Miani D. Shira of AITC ahead with 8583 votes after Round 4. Tailed by NPP’s Stevie M. Marak with 7129 votes.

10:28 am: Rajabala – Md Abdus Saleh of NPP leads with 2043 votes

10:27 am: North Tura – BJP’s Adam Kid A Sangma leads with 2779 votes, Thomas A Sangma of NPP at 2nd place with 1501 votes, Rupert M Sangma of AITC at 3rd spot with 623 votes

10:26 am: Selsella – Arbinstone B Marak of NPP leads with 2816 votes

10:25 am: Dalu – Akki A Sangma of BJP leads with 3640 votes after 2nd round

10:24 am: Jowai – Wailadmiki Shylla of NPP leads with 3520 votes. Followed by Awhai Andrew Shullai of AITC with 1213 votes

10:23 am: Ampati : Miani D. Shira of AITC leads with 2200 votes. Rrailed by NPP’s Stevie M. Marak with 1867 votes

10:22 am: Rajabala: NPP ahead with 2043 votes

10:20 am: Rongara Siju: Rakkam A. Sangma of NPP is ahead by a margin of 1343 votes. he has polled 6194 votes after round 4 of counting. AITC’s Dr Rajesh has polled 4851 votes. total votes counted – 15455

10:05 am: Gambegre- INC’s Saleng A. Sangma leads in Gambegre with 4478 votes after 2nd round

10:00 am: South Shillong – BJP’s Sanbor Shullai has taken a massive lead early on. He has polled 3113 votes and his nearest rival Danny Langstieh of VPP has polled only 949 votes after round 1

9:59 am: South Tura – NPP chief Conrad K. Sangma leading with 2672 votes, followed by BJP’s Bernand Marak – 2628 votes.

9:58 am: Williamnagar – NPP’s Marcuise N Marak leads with 1465 votes, trailed by Deborah C. Marak of INC with 1017.

9:57 am: Shella – UDP’s Balajied Kupar Synrem leads with 1439 votes, followed by Grace Mary Kharpuri of NPP with 1395 votes

9:56 am: Sohra – Gavin Miguel Mylliem of People’s Democratic Front (PDF) leads in Sohra with 1853 votes, followed by Titosstar Well Chyne of United Democratic Party (UDP) with 1732 votes.

9:55 am: UDP’s Paul Lyngdoh leads in West Shillong seat with 1956 votes. Followed by NPP’s Mohendro Rapsang with 1045 votes.

9.52 am: TMC’s Rupa Marak is leading in Dadenggre with 3365 votes, followed by NPP’s James K Sangma with 2396 vote after first round

9.50 am: INC’s Saleng A. Sangma leads in Gambegre with 2156 votes, followed by TMC’s Sadhiarani Sangma 1541, and NPP’s Rakesh Sangma with 1535 votes.

9.45 am: NPP’s Timothy D. Shira leads in Resubelpara with 4579 votes after Round 2. He is trailed by AITC’s Rinaldo k. Sangma who has polled 3034 votes. Tweel K Marak of Congress is at 3rd place with 2306 votes. A total of 11691 votes have been counted for the constituency.

9.42 am: Rakkam A. Sangma of NPP overtakes Dr Rajesh M Marak of AITC by a narrow margin. Rakkam has polled 2994 votes whereas Dr Rajesh has polled 2963 after Round 2

9:40 am: VPP Leads in Mylliem, followed by NPP and INC after Round 1 of counting

9:32 am: NPP’s Timothy D. Shira leads in Resubelpara

9:31 am: NPP’s Pongseng Marak leads in Bajengdoba

9:30 am: NPP’s Jimmy D. Sangma leads in Tikrikilla, followed by BJP’s Rahinath Barchung by a margin of 140 votes after Round 1

9:30 am: AITC’s Cherak W. Momin leads in Kharkutta with 2667 votes, followed by NPP’s Rupert Momin with 2388 after Round 1

9:10 am: Nikman Ch. Marak of Garo National Party (GNC) leads in Chokpot with 2013 votes, followed by Sengchim N. Sangma of NPP with 1412 votes. AITC’s Lazarus M Sangma is in 3rd place with 1195 votes after Round 1 of counting.

9:10 am: Dr Rajesh M Marak of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leads in Rongara Siju, trailed by Rakkam A Sangma of NPP

9: 06 am: BJP candidate Samuel M Sangma is leading from the Baghmara Assembly constituency in early trends.

9:05 am: Early trend shows the Conrad Sangma-led NPP is ahead in 19 seats, TMC is leading in 9, Congress and BJP are ahead in 7 seats each.

8:31 a.m: Ballot Boxes are being taken to the counting counters at SMLEC, Dakopgre Tura

8:09 am: Counting underway on at SMELC Dakopgre, Tura

8:01 am: The Counting of votes has begun. The postal ballots will be counted first, to be followed by EVM votes.