Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2018 schedule has been announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 18. The polling in the northeastern state will be held on February 27 and the counting of votes will be conducted on March 3, along with Nagaland Assembly Elections 2018 and Nagaland Assembly Elections 2018. With the of the election schedule by the poll body, the Model Code of Conduct came into effect in the state. The Commission has made elaborate arrangements for ensuring the effective implementation of the MCC Guidelines. Any violations of these Guidelines would be strictly dealt with. The term of the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly is ending on March 6.
As per the schedule announced by the poll body, the date for issuing of notification is January 24 and the last date of filing nomination is January 31. The scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on February 3. The results for Meghalaya will be out on March 3 and the process of Meghalaya Assembly elections 2018 will be completed by March 5.
In Meghalaya Assembly elections 2018, electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPAT will be used on all the seats, the ECI had announced.
Out of the 60 assembly constituencies in Meghalaya, 55 constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and the remaining are for the general candidates.
As per the final rolls, the total number of electorates in the state is 18,31,487. A total of 3,082 polling stations will be setup for the Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2018 across the state. Out of the total polling station, 2,025 are classified as normal polling stations, 536 as vulnerable, 454 as critical and 67 as both vulnerable and critical. Over 21,000 polling officials would be engaged to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the entire election process.
Meghalaya is currently governed by the Congress-led Chief Minister Mukul Sangma. The party, during Meghalaya Assembly elections 2013, had won 29 seats. It entered into an alliance with the United Democratic Party which got eight seats. On the other hand, independent candidates won 13 seats, NCP and NPP scored 2 seats each. A total of 86.82 per cent voter turnout was witnessed in the state Assembly elections in 2013.
The main parties contesting Meghalaya Assembly elections 2018 are Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The political turf of the state saw tensions when, in December last year, eight MLAs, including five from the ruling Congress party, resigned from the assembly in order to join the National People’s Party.
The constituencies which are scheduled to go to polls in Meghalaya are: Nartiang (ST), Jowai (ST), Raliang (ST), Mowkaiaw (ST) , Sutnga Saipung (ST), Khliehriat (ST), Amlarem (ST), Mawhati (ST), Nongpoh (ST), Jirang (ST), Umsning (ST), Umroi (ST), Mawryngkneng (ST), Pynthorumkhrah (GEN), Mawlai (ST), East Shillong (ST), North Shillong (ST), West Shillong (GEN), South Shillong (GEN), Mylliem (ST), Nongthymmai (ST), Nongkrem (ST), Sohiong (ST), Mawphlang (ST), Mawsynram (ST), Shella (ST), Pynursla (ST), Sohra (ST), Mawkynrew (ST), Mairang (ST), Mawthadraishan (ST), Nongstoin (ST), Rambrai-Jyrngam (ST), Mawshynrut (ST), Ranikor (ST), Mawkyrwat (ST), Kharkutta (ST), Mendipathar (ST), Resubelpara (ST), Bajengdoba (ST), Songsak (ST), Rongjeng (ST), William Nagar (ST), Raksamgre (ST), Tikrikilla (ST), Phulbari (GEN), Rajabala (GEN), Selsella (ST), Dadenggre (ST), North Tura (ST), South Tura (ST), Rangsakona (ST), Ampati (ST), Mahendraganj (ST), Salmanpara (ST), Gambegre (ST), Dalu (ST), Rongara-Siju (ST), Chokpot (ST), Baghmara (ST).