Williamnagar Assembly Bypoll Results 2018: NPP Candidate Marcuise Marak Wins by Margin of Over 4,000 Votes
Marcuise had represented Williamnagar in 2008 but was defeated in the 2013 elections by Congress MLA Deborah C Marak.
Shillong, May 1: The ruling National People's Party has emerged victorious in the Williamnagar assembly bypolls. NPP candidate Marcuise Marak won the seat by a margin of over 4,000 votes. With his victory, the strength of NPP in the ruling Meghalaya assembly has climbed to 20. The party is supported by legislators of the BJP, JD(U) and Independent MLAs.
Marcuise polled a total of 9,656 votes and defeated his nearest rival and Independent candidate Sengbush R Marak by a margin of 4,736 votes, the state's Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor said.
Meanwhile, the incumbent MLA and Congress candidate, Deborah C Marak trailed third with 4,554 votes.
Marcuise had represented Williamnagar in 2008 but was defeated in the 2013 elections by Congress MLA Deborah C Marak.
Polling for the seat was postponed following the death of NCP candidate Jonathone N Sangma in an IED attack on February 18, days before the February-27 Assembly election in the state.
With the announcement of today's poll results, the ruling NPP has equalled its strength with that of the Opposition Congress. The Congress and the NPP now have 20 MLAs each, United Democratic Party 6, People's Democratic Front 4, BJP 2, Hills State People's Democratic Part 2, Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement 1, NCP 1 and 3 Independents.
Bye-elections to the Ampati seat, formerly represented by Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma, is scheduled for May 28.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 01, 2018 02:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).