IolaBrookshire at 14:12, 7 March 2026

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{{Short description|Indian election in Meghalaya}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2021 Garo Hills Autonomous District Council election
| country = India
| type = parliamentary
| ongoing = no
| turnout = 69.42% {{increase}}
| previous_election = 2015 Garo Hills Autonomous District Council election
| previous_year = 2015
| next_election = 2026
| next_year = 2026
| election_date = 12 April 2021
| seats_for_election =29 out of 30 seats in the [[Garo Hills Autonomous District Council]]
| majority_seats = 16
| image1 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Hand INC.svg||bSize=140|cWidth=100|cHeight=120|oLeft=16|oTop=0}}
| party1 = Indian National Congress
| seats1 = 12
| last_election1 = 7
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 5
| popular_vote1 =
| percentage1 =
| swing1 =

| image2 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Indian Election Symbol Book.svg|bSize=120|cWidth=100|cHeight=120|oTop=2|oLeft=10}}
| party2 = National People's Party (India)
| seats2 = 11
| last_election2 = 10
| seat_change2 = {{increase}} 1
| popular_vote2 =
| percentage2 =
| swing2 =

| image3 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Lotus flower symbol.svg|bSize=120|cWidth=120|cHeight=120|oLeft=0|oTop=0}}
| party3 = Bharatiya Janata Party
| seats3 = 2
| last_election3 = 1
| seat_change3 = {{increase}} 1
| popular_vote3 =
| percentage3 =
| swing3 =

| image4 = <div style="width:100px;"><span style="line-height:120px; vertical-align:center; text-align:center; color:{{party color|Garo National Council}}; font-size:47px;"> '''GNC'''</span></div>
| party4 = Garo National Council
| seats4 = 1
| last_election4 = 3
| seat_change4 = {{decrease}} 2
| popular_vote4 =
| percentage4 =
| swing4 =

| image5 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Indian Election Symbol Clock.png|bSize=120|cWidth=100|cHeight=120|oLeft=10|oTop=0}}
| party5 = Nationalist Congress Party
| seats5 = 0
| last_election5 = 1
| seat_change5 = {{decrease}} 1
| popular_vote5 =
| percentage5 =
| swing5 =

| image6 = {{CSS image crop|Image=Indian Election Symbol Drums.png|bSize=120|cWidth=100|cHeight=120|oLeft=0|oTop=3}}
| party6 = United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)
| seats6 = 0
| last_election6 = 0
| seat_change6 = {{steady}}
| popular_vote6 =
| percentage6 =
| swing6 =

| title = Chief Executive Member
| posttitle = Chief Executive Member
| before_election = Dipul Marak
| before_party = National People's Party (India)
| after_election = Benedict Marak
| after_party = National People's Party (India)
}}

Elections to the '''[[Garo Hills Autonomous District Council]] (GHADC)''' were held on 12 April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Garo Hills Council polls deferred to April 12 in view of Assam assembly elections|url=https://www.insidene.com/garo-hills-council-polls-deferred-to-april-12-in-view-of-assam-assembly-elections/|website=www.insidene.com|access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://meghalaya.gov.in/sites/default/files/press_release/PR_76_21.pdf|title=PRESS RELEASE|date=9 March 2021}}</ref>

There were 743,000 eligible voters in the elections. The votes were counted on 15 April 2021.

==Schedule==
{| class="wikitable sortable" font-size:95%;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center"
! scope="col" | Election Event
! scope="col" | Date
! scope="col" | Time
! scope="col" | Day
|----
| Last date for filing nomination || 15 March 2021 || Before 3:00 pm || Monday
|-
| Scrutiny of nomination || 15 March 2021 || After 3:00 pm || Monday
|-
| Last date of withdrawal of candidature || 19 March 2021 || || Friday
|-
| Date of polling || 12 April 2021 || || Monday
|-
| Date of counting || 15 April 2021 || || Thursday
|}

==Party candidates==

{|class="wikitable"
!colspan="2"|Constituency
!colspan="1" style="background-color:{{party color|National People's Party (India)}}|NPP<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/02/24/npp-releases-first-list-of-16-candidates-for-ghadc-polls/|title=NPP Releases first list of 16 Candidates for GHADC polls|website=theshillongtimes.com|date=24 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/meghalaya-news/npp-announces-final-list-of-candidates-for-garo-hills-polls-526696|title=NPP Announces Final List of Candidates for Garo Hills Polls|website=sentinelassam.com|date=2 March 2021}}</ref>
!colspan="1" style="background-color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}|INC<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/02/10/congress-approves-first-list-of-17-candidates-for-ghadc-polls/|title=Congress approves first list of 17 candidates for GHADC polls|date=10 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/states/meghalaya/meghalaya-congress-releases-second-list-of-candidates-for/cid2515878.htm |title=Meghalaya Congress releases second list of candidates for GHADC polls|date=17 February 2021}}</ref>
!colspan="1" style="background-color:{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}|BJP<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/porbotialora/status/1380081525148897281 |title=Twitter|access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref>
!colspan="1" style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}|UDP<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.meghalayatimes.in/udp-releases-candidates-for-ghadc-polls/|title=UDP releases candidates for GHADC polls|date=15 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/03/06/udp-announces-second-list-of-contestants/|title=UDP announces second list of contestants|date=6 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://highlandpost.com/ghadc-polls-udp-announces-third-list-of-candidates/|title=GHADC polls: UDP announces third list of candidates|date=9 March 2021}}</ref>
!colspan="1" style="background-color:{{party color|Nationalist Congress Party}}|NCP<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/02/18/ncp-approves-list-of-first-five-candidates/|title=NCP approves list of first five candidates|date=18 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
|1
|Siju
|Albinush R Marak
|Kenadik S Marak
|Jon Gunchong D Shira
|Salseng R Marak
|
|-
|2
|Wagesik
|Bartholomeo D. Shira
|Freedarson N Sangma
|
|Diana N Marak
|
|-
|3
|Silkigre
|Sengbath R Marak
|Willy D Shira
|Wolden Sangma
|Bishal Arengh
|
|-
|4
|Rongrikimgre
|Wenison Ch Marak
|Dipur Sangma
|Heringstone Marak
|Jadush M Sangma
|Predith Ch Sangma
|-
|5
|Gasuapara
|Sengchim N Sangma
|Olendro R Marak
|Lahin Marak
|Devier M Sangma
|
|-
|6
|Barengapara
|Nasser R. Marak
|Sarbha R Marak
|Pramod Koch
|Deepak Sangma
|
|-
|7
|Babelapara
|Rakesh A. Sangma
|James Sangma
|Righteous N Sangma
|
|Saleng A Sangma
|-
|8
|Amongpara
|Panseng R. Marak
|Nehru D Sangma
|
|
|Dalseng Bira Ch Momin
|-
|9
|Tura
|Semford B Sangma
|Kunal Ch Momin
|Bernard Marak
|
|
|-
|10
|Dengnakpara
|Sanjip T Sangma
|Sadhiya Rani M Sangma
|Daniel M Sangma
|Kredithson Ch Marak
|
|-
|11
|Boldamgre
|Thebalsongh Arengh
|Stevie M Marak
|Huberth N Arengh
|Hellwithson A Sangma
|
|-
|12
|Nogorpara
|Linekar K Sangma
|Kansan Sangma
|Boston Marak
|Mijon Marak
|
|-
|13
|Zikzak
|Premananda Koch
|Jagdish Ch Hazong
|Bhupender Hazong
|
|
|-
|14
|Betasing
|Premish Sangma
|Sanjay Koch
|Babul Ch Hajong
|
|
|-
|15
|Rochonpara
|Dipul R. Marak
|Malcolm M Sangma
|Jeberth Sangma
|
|
|-
|16
|Asanang
|Anseng A. Sangma
|Adamkid M Sangma
|
|Ajit a Marak
|
|-
|17
|Balachanda
|Enamul Haque
|Agassi R Marak
|Cyril S Sangma
|Cary Marak
|
|-
|18
|Batabari
|Roynath D. Sangma
|Ashahel D. Shira
|
|Henston M Marak
|
|-
|19
|Shyamnagar
|Tarif Ibrahim Sarkar
|Habibuz Zaman
|Md. Fozibur Rahman
|
|Jellin S. Sangma
|-
|20
|Raksamgre
|Benedic R Marak
|Joyson R. Marak
|
|
|
|-
|21
|Naguapara
|Dhormonath Ch Sangma
|Mrinal R Marak
|Ranjit Rabha
|
|
|-
|22
|Jengjal
|Grahambell A Sangma
|Levastone T Sangma
|
|
|
|-
|23
|Rongrong
|Sukharam K Sangma
|Rinaldo K Sangma
|Mamik M Sangma
|
|
|-
|24
|Bolsong
|Crozier G. Momin
|Manseng Momin
|Domosh M Sangma
|Rakman Ch Marak
|Nexton Marak
|-
|25
|Damas
|Dolly K Sangma
|Pardinand D Shira
|Lakhita D Shira
|Elbarth Marak
|Zeercostar Momin
|-
|26
|Kharkutta
|Edbirth D. Shira
|Cherak Watre Momin
|
|Samarson M Marak
|
|-
|27
|Samandagre
|Brilliant R Sangma
|Lahitson M Sangma
|Lopsing Marak
|
|
|-
|28
|Darugre
|Henen R Sangma
|Rapiush Ch Sangma
|
|Arman Gare Momin
|
|-
|29
|Williamnagar
|Denang T Sangma
|Alphonsush R Marak
|Greatwill Sangma
|Arun N Marak
|
|-
|
|'''Total'''
|29
|29
|21
|17
|6
|-
|}

==Results==
The counting was held on 15 April. No party could get a clear majority. The INC emerged single largest party by winning 12 seats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/meghalaya/2021/04/15/live-ghadc-elections-results-follow-latest-results-here/|title=LIVE GHADC elections results: Follow latest results here|date=15 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hubnetwork.in/congress-wins-12-npp-11/|title=GHADC polls: Congress wins 12, NPP 11|date=15 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nenow.in/north-east-news/meghalaya/ghadc-elections-results-live-neck-to-neck-contest-between-congress-and-npp-in-meghalaya.html|title=GHADC elections results LIVE: Neck-to-neck contest between Congress and NPP in Meghalaya|date=15 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://meghalaya.gov.in/sites/default/files/circulars/Notification_DCA_142.pdf|title=DECLARATION OF RESULTS|date=15 April 2021|access-date=17 April 2021}}</ref>

===By Party===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; font-size:95%;"
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" |Party
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center"| Popular vote
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center"|Seats
|-
! width="70" style="text-align:center" | Vote
! width="45" style="text-align:center" | %
! Contested
! Won
! +/-
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Indian National Congress}}" |
|[[Indian National Congress]] (INC)
|
|
|29
|12
|{{increase}} 5
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|National People's Party (India)}}" |
|[[National People's Party (India)|National People's Party]] (NPP)
|
|
|29
|11
|{{increase}} 1
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP)
|
|
|21
|2
|{{increase}} 1
|-
|style="background-color:#FF0000"|
|[[Garo National Council]] (GNC)
|
|
|5
|1
|{{decrease}} 2
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)}}" |
|[[United Democratic Party (Meghalaya)|United Democratic Party]] (UDP)
|
|
|17
|0
|{{steady}}
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Nationalist Congress Party}}" |
|[[Nationalist Congress Party]] (NCP)
|
|
|6
|0
|{{decrease}} 1
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}" |
|[[Independent politician|Independent]] (IND)
|
|
|78
|3
|{{decrease}} 4
|-
|colspan="2"|None of the above (NOTA)
|
|
|colspan="3"|'''N/A'''
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
| align="left" colspan="2"| Total
|
|
|'''182'''
|'''29'''
|'''N/A'''
|}

===By Constituency===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!No.
!Constituency
!Winner
! colspan="2" |Party
!Margin
|-
|1
|Siju
|Albinus R Marak
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|2
|Wagesik
| Natual R Marak
|bgcolor=#DDDDDD|
|[[Independent politician|IND]]
|
|-
|3
| Silkigre
| Sengbath R Marak
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|4
| Rongrikimgre
| Nikman Ch Marak
| bgcolor=#FF0000|
|[[Garo National Council|GNC]]
|
|-
|5
| Gasuapara
| Sengchim N Sangma
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|6
| Barengapara
| Pramod Koch
| bgcolor=#FF9933|
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
|
|-
|7
| Babelapara
| Rakesh A Sangma
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|8
| Amongpara
| Nehru D Sangma
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|9
|Tura
|Bernard N Marak
| bgcolor=#FF9933|
| [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
|
|-
|10
| Dengnakpara
|Sadhia Rani
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|11
|Boldamgre
|Stevie M Marak
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|12
| Nogorpara
|Linekar K Sangma
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|13
| Zikzak
|Aktar Ali
|bgcolor=#DDDDDD|
|[[Independent politician|IND]]
|
|-
|14
|Betasing
|Sanjay Koch
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|15
| Rochonpara
|Arbin Marak
|bgcolor=#DDDDDD|
|[[Independent politician|IND]]
|
|-
|16
| Asanang
| Anseng Sangma
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|17
|Balachanda
| Agassi R Marak
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|18
|Batabari
| Ashahel D Shira
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|19
|Shyamnagar
| Habibuz Zaman
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|20
|Raksamgre
|Benedick R Marak
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|21
| Naguapara
| Dhormonath Ch Sangma
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|22
|Jengjal
| Grahambell A Sangma
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|23
| Rongrong
|Rinaldo K Sangma
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|24
| Bolsong
| Crozier G. Momin
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|25
| Damas
| Ferdinand Shira
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|26
| Kharkutta
| Cherak W Momin
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|27
| Samandagre
| Lahitson M Sangma
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|28
| Darugre
| Henen R Sangma
|bgcolor=#DB7093|
|[[National People's Party (India)|NPP]]
|
|-
|29
| Williamnagar
| Alphonsush R Marak
|bgcolor=#00BFFF|
|[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|
|-
|}

==Executive council formation==
The new council was formed by the NPP, with the support of three independents, two BJP and the lone GNC councillor. Benedick R Marak took oath as the CEM, whereas Nikman Ch Marak became the Deputy CEM.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastmojo.com/meghalaya/2021/04/17/conrad-sangmas-npp-to-form-new-ghadc-executive-committee/|title=Conrad Sangma’s NPP to form new GHADC executive committee|date=17 April 2021|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/npp-stakes-claim-to-form-new-ec-of-ghadc/east/news/2373632.html|title=NPP stakes claim to form next EC of GHADC|date=17 April 2021|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/04/22/npp-mdc-benedic-r-marak-wins-cem-position-in-ghadc/|title=NPP MDC Benedic R Marak wins CEM position in GHADC|website=theshillongtimes.com|date=22 April 2021|access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Meghalaya elections}}

[[Category:2021 elections in India]]
[[Category:Garo Hills Autonomous District Council election]]

2021 Garo Hills Autonomous District Council election - Revision history

IolaBrookshire at 14:12, 7 March 2026