13 candidates in the fray for Meghalaya Assembly bypolls

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 8, 2021

As many as 13 candidates are in the fray to contest the upcoming bye elections to the three Assembly constituencies, slated for October 30.  

“Altogether 13 candidates have filed nominations for the three constituencies,” state’s chief electoral officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor said on Friday, which is the last day of filing of nominations.

The filing of nomination papers by candidates started on October 1 and ended today. Scrutiny of papers will be held on October 11 while the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is on October 13.

The bye elections were necessitated after the deaths of two Congress legislators – David A Nongrum from Mawryngkneng constituency and Dr Azad Zaman from Rajabala constituency – and Independent legislator from Mawphlang SK Sunn.

Of the 13, five candidates each will be contesting from Mawryngkneng and Rajabala constituencies while 3 from Mawphlang constituency.

In Mawryngkneng, KHADC chairman and Sohryngkham MDC Pyniaid Sing Syiem from the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) will be contesting against the opposition Congress nominee Highlander Kharmalki and three others including KHNAM candidate Esron Marwein and two Independent candidates – Arbiangkam Kharsohmat and Norbert Marboh.

Sunn’s son Eugeneson Lyngdoh, a football star who decided to contest on a United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket, is pitched against two seasoned politicians – former MLA Kennedy C Khyriem of the Congress and four-time MDC Lamphrang Blah of the NPP – from the Mawphlang constituency.

As far as Rajabala constituency is concerned, Dr Zaman’s wife Hashina Yasmin Mondal will contest to retain the Congress seat against former legislator and currently sitting MDC of Batabari Ashahel D Shira from UDP and three others – MD Abdus Saleh from NPP, Kingston B Marak (BJP) and Carla R Sangma (Independent).

The date for counting has been fixed on November 2.