Hyderabad: In Meghalaya, the trends of the assembly election results suggest a hung assembly for the second time in a row. As per the latest data, out of the 59 seats, NPP is leading in 22 seats, BJP and Congress in 6 seats each. Trinamool Congress that failed to open its account in the last election is leading in 9 seats and 16 other seats are in control of regional parties.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made elaborate arrangements for the counting of votes, which began at 8 am on Thursday at 13 counting centres across the state. The ECI has deployed a large number of personnel for the security of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strong room, where the EVMs used for the polling are kept until the counting day.
The high voter turnout of 85.17% in the Meghalaya assembly elections is a significant improvement from the previous election in 2018 when the turnout was 75.58%. The people of Meghalaya have shown growing awareness and enthusiasm for the democratic process.
There are several important candidates including NPP supremo Conrad K Sangma who is contesting from the South Tura constituency. Conrad Sangma is facing militant-turned-BJP leader Bernard Marak in the constituency. Leader of Opposition and TMC leader Mukul Sangma is contesting from two seats – Songsak and Tikrikilla while his wife D D Shira is also in the fray.
The newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly will have around two weeks to form the government and elect a new Chief Minister, as the tenure of the 10th Meghalaya Assembly is scheduled to end on March 15, 2023.
Meghalaya election is not only important from several aspects. The results of the assembly elections will have a direct bearing on the political landscape of the state. The counting of votes will be closely watched by political parties and observers across the country. The ECI has ensured that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure a fair and transparent counting process, and it is now up to the people of Meghalaya to decide who will govern their state for the next five years.
Also read: Exit polls predict big win for BJP+ in Tripura, Nagaland; tight contest in Meghalaya
