Shillong, March 2: The National People’s Party (NPP) has emerged as the single largest party by winning 26 seats till 5.30 PM on Thursday in the 2023 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly elections held on February 27, 2023.

UDP emerged as the second largest party with 11 seats, followed by Congress and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) with 5 seats each. They are followed by new entrant in Meghalaya politics Voice of the People Party (VPP) with 4 seats. PDF, BJP, HSPDP secured 2 seats each and 2 seats whereas two seats were also won by independent candidates.

The counting of ballots began at 8 am on Thursday morning and had completed by 6:30 PM.

Of the major wins, NPP Chief Conrad K Sangma retained the South Tura and so did Thomas A Sangma by retaining the North Tura seat. However, his brother and 3 time MLA James PK Sangma lost the Dadenggre seat to AITC’s Rupa M. Marak by a narrow margin of 18 votes.

Similarly, Dr. Mizanur Rahman Kazi of AITC won the Rajabala seat by a thin margin of 10 votes against Md Abdus Saleh of NPP.

The biggest shock was probably for 3 time MP from Shillong and Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H. Pala, who lost from the Sutnga-Saipung seat against NPP’s Santa Mary Shylla.

One of the biggest dramas unfolded in Mylliem, where the winner could not be confirmed till very late either due to malfunctioned EVMs or due to thin margins after every rounds. However, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh of Congress was 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 secured 8689 votes from EVMs but after the counting of postal ballots, he had polled 8866, 38 votes behind Ronnie.

Most setback, however, was for the AITC and its leader and former CM Mukul Sangma. The Mahendraganj seat was won by Sanjay A. Sangma of NPP, who defeated sitting legislator Dikkanchi D Shira of AITC. Dikkanchi is the wife of AITC leader Dr. Mukul Sangma. Another setback for AITC was losing the Rangsakona seat, which was earlier held by Mukul’s brother Zenith Sangma. He lost of NPP’s Subir Marak. Also, Mukul himself lost from Tikrikilla to NPP’s Jimmy D Sangma.

At the end though, Mukul retained the Songsak seat despite a close finish against NPP’s Nihim D Shira.

In all, AITC could manage only 5 seats: Songsak, Ampati, Nongthymmai seat, Dadenggre and Rajabala.

Further, the candidate winning with the highest margin was Brightstarwell Marbaniang of VPP from Mawlai, who won with a massive margin of 15,648 votes against his nearest rival Teiborlang Pathaw of NPP.

Timothy D. Shira of NPP retained the Resubelpara seat, Ampareen Lyngdoh retained East Shillong seat, Prestone Tynsong retained Pynursla, Raliang was retained by Coming One Ymbon, and Wailadmiki Shylla retained Jowai.

Mentionably, elections were held for 59 of 60 seats in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly due to sudden death of UDP candidate from Sohiong HDR Lyngdoh. EC is yet to announce the rescheduled polling date for Sohiong.

Seats won by NPP 
1. Mahendraganj – Sanjay A. Sangma
2. Dalu – Brening A Sangma
3. Rongara – Siju – Rakkam Sangma
4. Chokpot – Sengchim N. Sangma
5. Kharkutta – Rupert Momin
6. Resubelpara – Timothy D. Shira
7. Mendipathar – Marthon J Sangma
8. Bajengdoba – Pongseng Marak
9. East Shillong – Ampareen Lyngdoh
10. Rangsakona – Subir Marak
11. Pynursla – Prestone Tynsong
12. Salmanpara – Ian Botham K. Sangma
13. Raliang – Coming One Ymbon
14. Jowai – Wailadmiki Shylla
15. Nartiang – Sniawbhalang Dhar
16. Tikrikilla – Jimmy D Sangma
17. Rongjeng – Jim M Sangma
18. North Tura – Thomas A Sangma
19. Umroi – Damanbait Lamare
20. Phulbari – Abu Taher Mondal
21. Sutnga Saipung – Santa Mary Shylla
22. Jirang – Sosthenes Sohtun
23. Raksamgre – Limison D. Sangma
24. South Tura – Conrad K. Sangma
25. Williamnagar – Marcuise N Marak
26. Selsella – Arbinstone B Marak

Seats won by UDP
1. Shella – Balajied Kupar Synrem
2. Mawsynram – Ollan Singh Suin
3. Mairang – Metbah Lyngdoh
4. West Shillong – Paul Lyngdoh
5. Mowkaiaw – Nujorki Sungoh
6. Mawkyrwat – Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar
7. Mawphlang – Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah
8. Ranikor – Pius Marwein
9. Nongpoh – Mayralborn Syiem
10. Khliehriat – Kyrmen Shylla
11. Amlarem – Lahkmen Rymbui

Seats won by Congress
1. Gambegre – Saleng A Sangma
2. Mawhati – Charles Marngar
3. Umsning – Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh
4. Nongstoin – Gabriel Wahlang
5. Mylliem – Ronnie V. Lyngdoh

Seats won by AITC
1. Ampati – Miani D. Shira
2. Dadenggre – Rupa M. Marak
3. Nongthymmai – Charles Pyngrope
4. Rajabala – Dr. Mizanur Rahman Kazi
5. Songsak – Dr Mukul Sangma

Seats won by VPP
1. Mawryngkneng – Heaving Stone Kharpran
2. North Shillong – Adelbert Nongrum
3. Mawlai – Brightstarwell Marbaniang
4. Nongkrem – Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit

Seats won by PDF
1. Sohra – Gavin Miguel Mylliem
2. Mawkynrew – Banteidor Lyngdoh

Seats won by BJP
1. South Shillong – Sanbor Shullai
2. Pynthorumkhrah – AL Hek

Seats won by HSPDP
1. Mawthadraishan – Shakliar Warjri
2. Mawshynrut – Methodius Dkhar

Seats won by Independents
1. Rambrai Jyrngam – Remington Gabil Momin
2. Baghmara – Kartush R. Marak