SIMULTANEOUS BY-POLLS LIKELY IN AMPATI AND WILLIAMNAGAR ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES IN MEGHALAYA

Two by-polls are expected simultaneously any time to fill up the remaining vacancies in the House of 60 in Meghalaya. The strength of the Assembly is 58 with Williamnagar and Ampati seats remaining vacant. Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said that after the resignation of former chief minister Mukul Sangma from Ampati on Friday, the notification in this regard was forwarded to the Election Commission of India for necessary action.  Williamnagar could not go to the polls simultaneously with 59 seats as the NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma was killed by suspected militants prior to the polls.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who represents Tura in Parliament, has time till September to take a decision as there is a deadline of six months before quitting as MP. Recently, Conrad said the party would take a decision whether he would contest the Ampati seat or opt for other seat. There were media reports in the past that the newly elected South Tura legislator Agatha Sangma may vacate her seat for Conrad. However, sources said the Election Commission may not go for by-polls to Tura Lok Sabha seat as only a few months will be left for the 2019 general elections if Conrad resigns as MP in September.