Bye-poll in Meghalaya constituency on May 10

 SHILLONG: The Election Commission announced on Wednesday that a by-election in the Sohiong Assembly Constituency in Meghalya’s East Khasi Hills district will be held on May 10. The elections for the 60-member Meghalaya assembly were held on February 27, but the polling in Sohiong could not be held following the death of United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate H. Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh, who died on February 20 due to illness. In the February 27 elections, the UDP, securing 11 seats, emerged as the second-largest single party after the National People’s Party (NPP), which got 26 seats. The UDP is supporting the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, which is dominated by the NPP. Various other local parties are also supporting the MDA government, headed by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who is also the National President of the NPP.

Like on previous occasions, the BJP, with two MLAs, is part of the MDA government. In the February 27 elections, the NPP, the BJP, the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) have put up candidates in the Sohiong constituency. It is not yet clear whether the NPP, the BJP, and the HSPDP, who are part of the MDA government, would field candidates in the tribal reserved seat. Statutory notification for the by-elections to Sohiong would be issued on April 13, and the last date for filing nominations is April 20. Votes will be counted on May 13. (IANS)

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