Meghalaya Results: NPP Leads But TMC's Seesaw Continues. Congress, BJP Trails In Trends

In Meghalaya, the NPP and TMC are giving each other a tough fight for the post of the single largest party in the state.

Amid fears of a hung assembly, the NPP has taken a lead but the TMC's numbers are fluctuation in trends, and the BJP and the Congress trail.

At the second hour of counting, the NPP stood at 25 seats, the TMC at 9, the BJP at 8 and Congress at 6 while others stood at 11

Meghalaya has a 60-member assembly, but polling in the Sohiong constituency was adjourned following the death of one of the candidates. The Congress and the BJP contested in 59 seats, while the NPP had put up nominees in 56 constituencies, the TMC in 57 and the UDP in 46.

After polling on February 27, F R Kharkongor said that 85.25 per cent of the state’s 21.6 lakh voters exercised their franchise during the assembly election held. The tenure of the 10th Meghalaya Assembly is scheduled to end on March 15, 2023. In the 2018 Meghalaya Assembly election, a coalition led by the National People's Party (NPP) formed the state government, with Conrad Sangma becoming Chief Minister.

The Election Commission (EC) has deployed 119 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Meghalaya to ensure a smooth polling process.

According to ANI, the ECI has set up 13 counting centres and the security at all EVM strong rooms has been strengthened with up to three layers of security in place. 

FR Kharkongor, Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya told ANI, "We have set up 13 counting centres in all 12 districts and in one Sub-Division. 27 counting observers and 500 micro observers have been deployed for the counting of votes. We have made all arrangements."

According to EC, 375 candidates are contesting for the 60 Assembly seats.

The ruling National People's Party (NPP) is striving to retain power in the northeastern state, while the BJP, Trinamool Congress, and other regional parties hope to bring about a change in the government.

Meghalaya Exit Poll Predictions:
Times Now-ETG, India Today-My Axis and Zee News-Matrize predicted a hung house in the state, even though Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad Sangma remained confident of victory. The majority mark to form government in the state is 31.