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{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2008 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election
| country = India
| type = legislative
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2003 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election
| previous_year = 2003
| next_election = 2013 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election
| next_year = 2013
| seats_for_election = 59 seats in the Assembly
| election_date = 3 Mar 2008
| turnout = 89.84%

| image1 = [[File:Mukul Sangma.jpg|120x120px]]
| leader1 = [[Mukul Sangma]]
| party1 = Indian National Congress
| last_election1 = 22
| seats1 = 25
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 3
| popular_vote1 = 362617
| percentage1 = 32.90%
| swing1 = {{increase}}2.94

| image2 = [[File:Indian Election Symbol Drums.png|120x120px]]
| leader2 = [[Donkupar Roy]]
| party2 = United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)
| last_election2 = 9 seats
| seats2 = 11
| seat_change2 = {{increase}} 2
| popular_vote2 = 202511
| percentage2 = 18.37%
| swing2 = {{increase}}2.38
}}
[[Image:Meghalaya in India.png|thumb|right|[[Meghalaya]]]]
The '''Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election of 2008''' took place in a single phase on 3 March 2008 to elect the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)]] from each of the 60 [[Constituency|Assembly Constituencies (ACs)]] in Meghalaya, India. Counting of votes happened on 7 March 2008 and because of the use of [[Indian voting machines|Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)]] in this election, the results were ready within the day.

The ruling coalition [[Meghalaya Democratic Alliance|Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA)]] had broken apart in the lead-up to this election, forcing the main partner [[Indian National Congress|Indian National Congress (INC)]] to take on their erstwhile partners including [[United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)|United Democratic Party (UDP)]] and [[Meghalaya Democratic Party|Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP)]] who had decided to fight against the [[Indian National Congress|INC]] on the basis on corruption charges against the incumbent Government.

The election provided a [[Hung parliament|hung verdict]] and both the incumbent [[Indian National Congress|INC]] and the post-election coalition of [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]]-[[United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)|UDP]] (who called themselves the [[Meghalaya Progressive Alliance|Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA)]] staked claim with the [[Governor of Meghalaya]] [[M.M. Jacob]] to form the next [[Government of Meghalaya]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/udpncp-cong-stake-claim-to-form-govt-in-meghalaya/60757-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023170800/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/udpncp-cong-stake-claim-to-form-govt-in-meghalaya/60757-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2012|title=UDP-NCP, Cong stake claim to form govt in Meghalaya – India News – IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref> By virtue of being the single largest party in this election, winning 25 of the total 60 seats, the incumbent [[List of Chief Ministers of Meghalaya|Chief Minister]] [[D. D. Lapang]] of the [[Indian National Congress|INC]] was invited by the [[Governor of Meghalaya|Governor]] to form the new Government on 10 March 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/mar/10dd.htm |title=Lapang sworn in Meghalaya CM, MPA to move SC |publisher=Rediff.com |accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref> However, the Lapang Government was unable to get enough support in the [[Meghalaya Legislative Assembly]] and the Chief Minister resigned 9 days later ahead of the [[Motion of Confidence|vote of confidence]] scheduled for 20 March 2008. The Governor then invited the head of the [[United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)|UDP]] [[Donkupar Roy]] to form the Government with the support of the [[Meghalaya Progressive Alliance|MPA]] coalition who claimed support of 31 of the 60 seats in the Assembly. This included 14 seats from [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]], 11 from [[United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)|UDP]], 2 from [[Hill State People's Democratic Party|Hill State People's Democratic Party(HPDP)]], 1 from [[Bharatiya Janata Party|Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)]], 1 from [[Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement|Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM)]] and 2 [[independent (politician)|independents]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/lapang-govt-falls-in-meghalaya-roy-appointed-cm/61543-3-2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522130826/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/lapang-govt-falls-in-meghalaya-roy-appointed-cm/61543-3-2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 May 2011 |title=Lapang Govt falls in Meghalaya, Roy appointed CM |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=10 May 2011 |accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref>

==Background==
The [[State Assembly elections in India, 2003|previous elections]] to the 7th [[Meghalaya Legislative Assembly]] was held in 2003 and the term for this Assembly was set to expire on 10 March 2008. Hence, the [[Election Commission of India|Election Commission of India (ECI)]] announced fresh elections to the 8th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on 14 January 2008. Of the 60 ACs in Tripura, 55 are reserved for [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Tribes]]. Elections in all [[polling station]]s were held using [[Indian voting machines|EVMs]].<ref>http://www.eci.gov.in/press/current/PN140108.pdf{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

After the 2003 elections to the 7th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, the [[Indian National Congress|INC]] led [[Meghalaya Democratic Alliance|MDA]] formed the Government under the leadership of INC's D. D. Lapang. The members of the MDA were INC (22 seats), UDP (9 seats), [[Meghalaya Democratic Party|Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP)]] (4 seats) and 3 independents. By 2006, Lapang faced revolt within the INC and the party took the decision to replace him as the Chief Minister. On 15 June 2006, Lapang resigned and his protégé [[J. Dringwell Rymbai|J. D. Rymbai]] was sworn in as the new Chief Minister by the [[Governor of Manipur]] [[Shivinder Singh Sidhu|S. S. Sidhu]], who administered the oath of office on behalf of Governor M. M. Jacob who was on leave.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/lapang-out-rymbai-is-new-meghalaya-cm/6563/ |title=Lapang out, Rymbai is new Meghalaya CM |work=The Indian Express |location=India |date=16 June 2006 |accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Our Correspondent |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060616/asp/frontpage/story_6359756.asp |title=The Telegraph Calcutta : Frontpage |work=The Telegraph |location=Kolkota, India |date=16 June 2006 |accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref> However, the conflict within the INC did not end there and both Lapang and Rymbai continued to claim majority support among the Congress [[Legislative Party]] (CLP). After 8 months in control of the Government, Rymbai was asked by the [[Congress high command]] to resign. Lapang was reelected as the leader of the Meghalaya CLP and was reinstated as Chief Minister by Governor M. M. Jacob on 10 March 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.rediff.com/news/2007/mar/10cm.htm |title=Meghalaya CM Rymbai finally resigns |publisher=Rediff.com |accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=59386c8b-32c8-4029-812d-304a39fafec3&MatchID1=4856&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=2&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1223&MatchID2=4873&TeamID3=1&TeamID4=3&MatchType2=1&SeriesID2=1229&PrimaryID=4856&Headline=Lapang+is+Meghalaya+CM%2c+Rymbai+resigns |title=Lapang is Meghalaya CM, Rymbai resigns |work=Hindustan Times |location=India |date=10 March 2007 |accessdate=27 October 2011}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> This time Lapang held onto the post until the completion of the term of the 7th Meghalaya Assembly.

==Campaign==
In this election the [[Indian National Congress|INC]] was battling not just the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)]], but also its former [[Meghalaya Democratic Alliance|MDA]] partners [[United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)|UDP]] and [[Meghalaya Democratic Party|MDP]]. In addition, the [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]], a [[United Progressive Alliance|United Progressive Alliance (UPA)]] partner at the [[Central government of India|Centre]], was also contesting against the INC in Meghalaya. Under the leadership of [[P. A. Sangma]] (who gave up national politics in favour of state politics before the elections<ref>{{cite web|last=Kashyap |first=Shreesha |url=http://www.aol.in/news/story/2008022803419026000008/index.html |title=CoolAge – College Life on the Go |publisher=Aol.in |accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref>), the NCP was expected to provide the most stiff competition to the INC.

Elections in the constituency of [[Baghmara, India|Baghmara]] were postponed to 22 March 2008 on count of the death of the sitting INC MLA S. Sangma.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/meghalaya-goes-to-polls-today--key-issues/60313-7-single.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522131132/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/meghalaya-goes-to-polls-today--key-issues/60313-7-single.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 May 2011 |title=Meghalaya goes to polls today | Key issues – Business News – IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref>

A total of 331 candidates contested the remaining 59 seats up for election. [[Romgram]] had the toughest fight with 11 contestants, while [[Jaiaw]] had only 2 contestants.<ref>http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/candidatewise/AE_2008.xls{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Election Day==
Election Day (3 March 2008) was largely peaceful across the state. However, there was one incident of violence that claimed the life of an INC worker when clashes broke out between supporters of INC & NCP at Selsella in the [[Garo Hills]] area of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2620 |title=Meghalaya poll concludes peacefully; Nagaland gears up |publisher=Newstrackindia.com |accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref>

[[Voter turnout]] of 89.05% was a record for the state. High voter turnout was reported from almost all rural constituencies.<ref>{{cite web |author=Our Correspondent |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080305/jsp/northeast/story_8980545.jsp |title=Poll record in Meghalaya |work=The Telegraph |location=Kolkota, India |date=5 March 2008 |accessdate=27 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605101938/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080305/jsp/northeast/story_8980545.jsp |archive-date=5 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Voter turnout for the Baghmara seat on 22 Mar 2008 was 88.50%.<ref>http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2008/pollupd/ac/states/s15/Partycomp37.htm{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Combined voter turnout across the state was 89.44%.<ref>http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2008/pollupd/ac/states/S15/a_index.htm{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Results==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Performance of the political parties in this election
!colspan=10|[[File:India Meghalaya Legislative Assembly 2008.svg]]
|-
! Party
! Seats contested
! Seats won
! No. of Votes
! % of Votes
! % in Seats contested
! Seats Forfeited
! 2003 Seats
|-
| [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| 23
| 1
| 29,465
| 2.71%
| 7.04%
| 21
|
|-
| [[Communist Party of India]]
| 3
| 0
| 282
| 0.03%
| 0.53%
| 3
|
|-
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| 59
| 25
| 357,113
| 32.88%
| 32.88%
| 9
|
|-
| [[Nationalist Congress Party]]
| 49
| 14
| 221,341
| 20.38%
| 24.32%
| 15
|
|-
| [[Lok Janshakti Party]]
| 18
| 0
| 6,827
| 0.63%
| 2.02%
| 18
|
|-
| [[Meghalaya Democratic Party]]
| 18
| 0
| 30,691
| 2.83%
| 8.82%
| 15
|
|-
| [[United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)|United Democratic Party]]
| 53
| 11
| 201,976
| 18.60%
| 20.49%
| 21
|
|-
| [[Garo National Council]]
| 4
| 0
| 4,081
| 0.38%
| 6.65%
| 3
|
|-
| [[Hill State People's Democratic Party]]
| 15
| 2
| 42,235
| 3.89%
| 13.97%
| 10
|
|-
| [[Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement]]
| 16
| 1
| 48,833
| 4.50%
| 16.88%
| 9
|
|-
| [[Independent (politician)|Independents]]
| 73
| 5
| 143,122
| 13.18%
| 25.22%
| 55
|
|-
! Total
! 331
! 59
! 1,085,966
!
!
! 179
!
|}
<ref>http://www.eci.gov.in/StatisticalReports/SE2008/StatReport2008_MG.pdf{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Note: The above results are only for 59 seats. The results of Baghmara constituency is not included as elections in Baghmara were postponed.

==Elected Members==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Constituency
!Reserved for ([[Scheduled Castes|SC]]/[[Scheduled Tribes|ST]]/None)
!Member
!colspan=2|Party
|-
| War-jaintia || ST || Lahkmen Rymbui || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Rymbai || ST || Nehlang Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Sutnga-shangpung || ST || Shitlang Pale || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Raliang || ST || Comingone Ymbon || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Nartiang || ST || E. C. Boniface Bamon || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Nongbah-wahiajer || ST || Sniawbhalang Dhar || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Jowai || ST || Roytre Christopher Laloo || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Mawhati || ST || Donbok Khymdeit || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Umroi || ST || E.k.mawlong || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Nongpoh || ST || Dr. D.d. Lapang || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Jirang || ST || J. Dringwell Rymbai || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Mairang || ST || Metbah Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Nongspung || ST || J. Antonius Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Sohiong || ST || H. Donkupar R. Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Mylliem || ST || Ronnie V. Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Malki-nongthymmai || ST || B.m. Lanong || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Laitumkharah || ST || M. Ampareen Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Pynthorumkhrah || None || A.l. Hek || {{Full party name with color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|-
| Jaiaw || ST || Paul Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|Khun Hynnieutrip National Awakaning Movement}}
|-
| Mawkhar || ST || Dr Friday Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Mawprem || None || Manas Chaudhuri || {{Full party name with color|Independent (politician)}}
|-
| Laban || None || Sanbor Shullai || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Mawlai || ST || Founder Strong Cajee || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Sohryngkham || ST || Charles Pyngrope || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Dienglieng || ST || Remington Pyngrope || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Nongkrem || ST || Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Lyngkyrdem || ST || Prestone Tynsong || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Nongshken || ST || Don Kupar Massar || {{Full party name with color|Independent (politician)}}
|-
| Sohra || ST || Dr. Phlour W. Khongjee || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Shella || ST || Dr. Donkupar Roy || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Mawsynram || ST || Pynshngainlang Syiem || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Mawkyrwat || ST || Rowell Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Pariong || ST || Dr. Adviser Pariong || {{Full party name with color|Hill State People's Democratic Party}}
|-
| Nongstoin || ST || Hopingstone Lyngdoh || {{Full party name with color|Hill State People's Democratic Party}}
|-
| Langrin || ST || Martin M. Danggo || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Mawthengkut || ST || Francis Pondit R. Sangma || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Baghmara || ST || Satto Marak || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Rongrenggiri || ST || Shri.marcuise N.marak || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Rongjeng || ST || Shri.desang M.sangma || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Kharkutta || ST || Shri.omillo K.sangma || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Mendipathar || ST || Frankenstein Momin || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Resubelpara || ST || Timothy Shira || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Songsak || ST || Shri.nihim D.shira || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Bajengdoba || ST || John Manner Marak || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Tikrikilla || ST || Limison Sangma || {{Full party name with color|Independent (politician)}}
|-
| Dadenggiri || ST || Augustine D.marak || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Rongchugiri || ST || James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Phulbari || None || Abu Taher Mondal || {{Full party name with color|Independent (politician)}}
|-
| Rajabala || ST || Sayeedullah Nongrum || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Selsella || ST || Conrad Kongkal Sangma || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Rongram || ST || Ismail R.marak || {{Full party name with color|Independent (politician)}}
|-
| Tura || ST || Purno Agitok Sangma || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Chokpot || ST || Masonsing Sangma || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Kherapara || ST || Phillipole Marak || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Dalu || ST || Samuel Sangma || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Dalamgiri || ST || Saleng Sangma || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Rangsakona || ST || Adolf Lu Hitler R. Marak || {{Full party name with color|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|-
| Ampatigiri || ST || Dr. Mukul Sangma || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
| Salmanpura || ST || Nimarson Momin || {{Full party name with color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}
|-
| Mahendraganj || None || Abdus Saleh || {{Full party name with color|Indian National Congress}}
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081207201816/http://www.eci.gov.in/ Election Commission of India]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081219093032/http://www.meghalaya.nic.in/ Government of Meghalaya]
* [http://megassembly.gov.in/ Meghalaya Legislative Assembly]

{{Meghalaya elections}}

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[[Category:2008 State Assembly elections in India]]
[[Category:State Assembly elections in Meghalaya]]
[[Category:2000s in Meghalaya]]

2008 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election - Revision history

MetaBOT at 17:03, 8 July 2023