2003 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election

2003 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election
26 February 2003
All 60 seats in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly; 31 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	70.42
Chief Minister before election; Flinder Anderson Khonglam; Independent	Elected Chief Minister ; D. D. Lapang; INC

The 2003 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election was held on 26 February 2003. The north-east Indian state's seventh Legislative Assembly election saw major changes with 28 sitting members and two former Chief Ministers losing their seats.^[1] The election also produced the largest representation for the national parties (Indian National Congress INC, the Nationalist Congress Party NCP and the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP) and, to that point, the smallest representation for the regional parties.^[2] No party won a majority of seats and despite more than a five percent loss in the popular vote compared to the 1998 election, the INC secured a plurality. Initially, the NCP under leader E. D. Marak attempted to form a government, but failed to secure support for a majority.^[3] Subsequently, D. D. Lapang was invited by Governor M. M. Jacob to present a majority, which was successfully achieved through the formation of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition.^[3] Made up of 42 members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), the MDA consisted of the INC, the United Democratic Party (UDP), the Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP), the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and three independents.^[1] D.D. Lapang was confirmed as Chief Minister with Donkupar Roy of the UPD as Deputy Chief Minister.^[1]

Parties contested

	Leader	Seats contested
Indian National Congress	D. D. Lapang	60
Nationalist Congress Party	P. A. Sangma	54
Meghalaya United Democratic Party	Donkupar Roy	45
Bharatiya Janata Party	L. K. Advani	28
Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement		22
Hill State People's Democratic Party		22
Meghalaya Democratic Party		18
People's Democratic Movement (Meghalaya)		8
Garo National Council		7
Khasi Farmers Democratic Party		4
Samata Party	George Fernandes	3
Communist Party of India	A. B. Bardhan	3
Samajwadi Party	Mulayam Singh Yadav	1

Results

← Summary of the 23 February 2003 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election results →

Parties and coalitions		Popular vote			Seats
Parties and coalitions		Votes	%	±pp	Won	+/−
	Indian National Congress (INC)	270,269	29.96	5.07	22	3
	Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)	174,972	19.40		14
	United Democratic Party (UDP)	144,255	15.99	11	9	11
	Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)	48,932	5.42	0.41	2	1
	Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP)	47,852	5.31		4
	Hill State People's Democratic Party (HPDP/HSPDP)	44,520	4.94	1.83	2	1
	Khun Hynnieutrip National Awakaning Movement	32,677	3.62		2
	Garo National Council (GNC)	8,483	0.94	1.17	0	1
	People's Democratic Movement (Meghalaya) (PDM)	16,245	1.80	5.15	0	3
	Khasi Farmers Democratic Party (KFDP)	2,478	0.27		0
	Communist Party of India	551	0.06	0.11	0
	Samata Party (SAP)	811	0.09		0
	Samajwadi Party (SP)	245	0.03	0.06	0
	Independents (IND)	109,686	12.16	4.0	5

Total		901,976	100.00		60	±0
Source: Election Commission of India^[4]

Elected members

Results by constituency

Winner, runner-up, voter turnout, and victory margin in every constituency^[5]
Assembly Constituency		Turnout	Winner					Runner Up					Margin
#k	Names	%	Candidate	Party		Votes	%	Candidate	Party		Votes	%	Margin
1	War-Jaintia	71.78%	Riang Lenon Tariang		UDP	7,211	41.56%	Johndeng Pohrmen		INC	5,991	34.53%	1,220
2	Rymbai	80.2%	Nehlang Lyngdoh		INC	12,224	46.9%	Obil Kyndait		Independent	7,972	30.58%	4,252
3	Sutnga-Shangpung	78.99%	Shitlang Pale		INC	8,182	45.8%	Oliverneat Chyrmang		UDP	5,722	32.03%	2,460
4	Raliang	80.27%	Mihsalan Suchiang		UDP	6,336	30.4%	Wanbait Chulet		NCP	5,178	24.85%	1,158
5	Nartiang	76.37%	Draison Kharshiing		MDP	4,975	27.09%	H. Britainwar Dan		UDP	4,640	25.26%	335
6	Nongbah-Wahiajer	79.6%	Kyrmen Susngi		UDP	9,667	53.84%	Edmund Speakerson Lyngdoh		INC	7,886	43.92%	1,781
7	Jowai	76.93%	Singh Mulieh		UDP	8,967	49.36%	Dr. Roytre Christopher Laloo		INC	8,306	45.72%	661
8	Mawhati	72.14%	Phingwel Muktieh		INC	5,021	35.5%	S. R. Moksha		UDP	4,270	30.19%	751
9	Umroi	63.01%	Stanlywiss Rymbai		INC	8,352	53.5%	E. K. Mawlong		UDP	7,259	46.5%	1,093
10	Nongpoh	65.43%	Dr. D. D. Lapang		INC	7,808	51.14%	Constantine Lyngdoh		UDP	6,100	39.95%	1,708
11	Jirang	61.9%	J. Dringwell Rymbai		INC	3,888	27.89%	Artist Ranee		UDP	2,687	19.27%	1,201
12	Mairang	76.41%	Boldness L. Nongrum		INC	5,594	28.53%	Fuller Lyngdoh Mawnai		HSPDP	4,796	24.46%	798
13	Nongspung	70.02%	John Anthony Lyngdoh		UDP	7,037	43.92%	S. Loniak Marbaniang		HSPDP	4,937	30.81%	2,100
14	Sohiong	72.96%	H. Donkupar R. Lyngdoh		INC	9,518	52.87%	Rain Augustine Lyngdoh		UDP	7,209	40.04%	2,309
15	Mylliem	66.79%	Pynshai Manik Syiem		Independent	5,632	39.6%	Oris Syiem Myriaw		INC	3,083	21.68%	2,549
16	Malki-Nongthymmai	48.99%	Tony Curtis Lyngdoh		INC	5,384	47.6%	Bindo Lanong		UDP	2,792	24.69%	2,592
17	Laitumkhrah	45.52%	Robert Garnett Lyngdoh		INC	4,672	54.34%	Dr. Werlok Kharshiing		BJP	1,578	18.35%	3,094
18	Pynthorumkhrah	54.76%	Alexander Laloo Hek		BJP	10,798	69.95%	Onward L. Nongtdu		INC	3,639	23.57%	7,159
19	Jaiaw	57.76%	Paul Lyngdoh		KHNAM	5,873	57.26%	Martamlin Pyrbot		HSPDP	2,283	22.26%	3,590
20	Mawkhar	51.79%	Dr. Friday Lyngdoh		INC	3,568	59.04%	James Marvin Pariat		KHNAM	1,150	19.03%	2,418
21	Mawprem	51.49%	Ardhendu Choudhuri		NCP	3,979	38.2%	Dhrubanath Joshi		INC	2,822	27.09%	1,157
22	Laban	55.13%	Thrang Hok Rangad		BJP	5,005	59.85%	Anthony Lyngdoh		INC	2,096	25.06%	2,909
23	Mawlai	62.4%	Process T. Sawkmie		MDP	8,031	49.%	Founder Strong Cajee		PDM	6,249	38.12%	1,782
24	Sohryngkham	71.39%	Charles Pyngrope		INC	4,388	28.93%	J. Ulysses Nongrum		Independent	4,161	27.44%	227
25	Dienglieng	72.41%	Martle N Mukhim		MDP	5,238	41.79%	Teilang S Blah		KHNAM	2,775	22.14%	2,463
26	Nongkrem	71.46%	Lambor Malngiang		KHNAM	2,929	18.85%	H. S. Shylla		UDP	2,847	18.32%	82
27	Langkyrdem	65.28%	Prestone Tynsong		INC	2,832	21.49%	Syrpai Khonglah		MDP	2,415	18.32%	417
28	Nongshken	72.29%	Khan Khong Dkhar		INC	4,235	35.98%	Ganold Stone Massar		KHNAM	3,182	27.04%	1,053
29	Sohra	70.62%	Dr. Flinder Anderson Khonglam		HSPDP	4,093	32.17%	Phlour W. Khongjee		UDP	3,536	27.79%	557
30	Shella	66.15%	Dr. Donkupar Roy		UDP	3,145	32.93%	Pyndapborthiaw Saibon		KHNAM	2,923	30.61%	222
31	Mawsynram	70.46%	D. Plaslanding Iangjuh		MDP	5,467	41.16%	Gopal Stone Hynniewta		INC	4,707	35.44%	760
32	Mawkyrwat	77.76%	B. Bires Nongsiej		UDP	4,903	31.24%	Rowell Lyngdoh		INC	3,610	23.%	1,293
33	Pariong	71.47%	Irin Lyngdoh		INC	4,427	35.95%	Tubarlin Lyngdoh		HSPDP	4,398	35.71%	29
34	Nongstoin	60.9%	Hopingstone Lyngdoh		HSPDP	7,495	36.07%	Francis K. Mawlot		INC	7,001	33.69%	494
35	Langrin	72.44%	Martin M. Danggo		INC	5,509	36.11%	Probin K. Raswai		NCP	4,007	26.27%	1,502
36	Mawthengkut	71.9%	Francis Pondit R. Sangma		Independent	5,114	30.82%	H. Ledishon Nongsiang		INC	4,254	25.64%	860
37	Baghmara	75.69%	Sengran M. Sangma		INC	7,703	51.98%	Lotsing A. Sangma		NCP	6,055	40.86%	1,648
38	Rongrenggiri	67.34%	Debora C. Marak		INC	7,533	36.63%	Marcuise N. Marak		NCP	7,472	36.33%	61
39	Rongjeng	71.1%	Predickson G. Momin		Independent	5,998	44.95%	Ashutosh Marak		NCP	3,634	27.23%	2,364
40	Kharkutta	75.68%	Elstone D. Marak		NCP	6,568	41.49%	Subash Marak		INC	3,230	20.4%	3,338
41	Mendipathar	76.21%	Beninstand G. Momin		UDP	7,756	45.7%	Frankenstein W. Momin		INC	6,791	40.02%	965
42	Resubelpara	73.08%	Timothy Shira		NCP	7,957	53.33%	Salseng C. Marak		INC	6,963	46.67%	994
43	Songsak	73.26%	Heltone N. Marak		UDP	4,875	34.%	Tonsing N Marak		INC	4,693	32.73%	182
44	Bajengdoba	75.91%	John Manner Marak		NCP	7,756	51.8%	Chamberline B. Marak		INC	5,923	39.56%	1,833
45	Tikrikilla	74.55%	Mohindra Rava		NCP	4,436	29.25%	Kapin Ch. Boro		INC	3,767	24.84%	669
46	Dadenggre	77.83%	Edmund K Sangma		NCP	7,948	43.26%	Augustine D.Marak		INC	7,625	41.51%	323
47	Rongchugiri	82.44%	Beckstar Sangma		NCP	3,170	26.12%	Chanang K Marak		Independent	2,891	23.83%	279
48	Phulbari	81.21%	Manirul Islam Sarkar		INC	7,170	37.93%	Aperson G. Momin		BJP	5,616	29.71%	1,554
49	Rajabala	78.77%	Sayeedullah Nongrum		INC	7,125	41.%	Clement Marak		NCP	6,911	39.77%	214
50	Selsella	75.07%	Cyprian R. Sangma		NCP	2,875	25.27%	Atul C. Marak		INC	2,705	23.77%	170
51	Rongram	69.64%	Sengman R. Marak		Independent	4,746	30.84%	Crinathson A. Sangma		NCP	3,184	20.69%	1,562
52	Tura	57.36%	Billy Kid A. Sangma		Independent	7,171	30.39%	John Leslee K. Sangma		Independent	5,394	22.86%	1,777
53	Chokpot	76.28%	Masonsing Sangma		NCP	5,122	40.22%	Clifford R. Marak		GNC	3,068	24.09%	2,054
54	Kherapara	75.71%	Brening Sangma		NCP	5,418	41.3%	Kenethson Sangma		INC	2,714	20.69%	2,704
55	Dalu	71.9%	Samuel Sangma		NCP	3,760	34.%	Nityanarayan Smchang		BJP	3,492	31.57%	268
56	Dalamgiri	78.66%	Admiral K. Sangma		NCP	5,627	46.02%	Ira Marak		INC	4,017	32.85%	1,610
57	Rangsakona	78.48%	Zenith Sangma		INC	5,452	41.7%	Adolf Lu Hitler Marak		NCP	5,117	39.14%	335
58	Ampatigiri	77.2%	Dr. Mukul Sangma		INC	7,080	40.99%	Eril Sangma		NCP	4,941	28.61%	2,139
59	Salmanpara	76.96%	Gopinath Sangma		NCP	6,341	42.04%	Nimarson Momin		UDP	5,498	36.45%	843
60	Mahendraganj	82.74%	Nidhu Ram Hajong		NCP	6,479	44.07%	Abdus Saleh		Independent	4,780	32.51%	1,699

References

1 2 3 Baruah, Apurba K. (2003). "Elections 2003: Decline of Regionalism". Economic and Political Weekly. 38 (16): 1538–1541. ISSN 0012-9976. JSTOR 4413452.
↑ Dev, Rajesh (2007). "Ethno-Regional Identity and Political Mobilisation in Meghalaya: Democratic Discourse in a Tribal State". In Roy, Ramashray; Wallace, Paul (eds.). India's 2004 Elections: Grass-Roots and National Perspectives. Paul Wallace. SAGE Publications. p. 257. ISBN 978-0-7619-3516-2. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
1 2 "Meghalaya: NCP claim falls flat". www.rediff.com. 3 March 2003. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
↑ "Meghalaya 2003". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
↑ "General Election to Legislative Assembly, Mar 2003 - Valid Votes Secured" (PDF). ceomeghalaya.nic.in. Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya. Archived from the original (pdf) on 4 January 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2025.

[:0-1] 1 2 3 Baruah, Apurba K. (2003). "Elections 2003: Decline of Regionalism". Economic and Political Weekly. 38 (16): 1538–1541. ISSN 0012-9976. JSTOR 4413452.

[Dev2007-2] Dev, Rajesh (2007). "Ethno-Regional Identity and Political Mobilisation in Meghalaya: Democratic Discourse in a Tribal State". In Roy, Ramashray; Wallace, Paul (eds.). India's 2004 Elections: Grass-Roots and National Perspectives. Paul Wallace. SAGE Publications. p. 257. ISBN 978-0-7619-3516-2. Retrieved 5 March 2020.

[:1-3] 1 2 "Meghalaya: NCP claim falls flat". www.rediff.com. 3 March 2003. Retrieved 5 March 2020.

[4] "Meghalaya 2003". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 5 March 2020.

[5] "General Election to Legislative Assembly, Mar 2003 - Valid Votes Secured" (PDF). ceomeghalaya.nic.in. Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya. Archived from the original (pdf) on 4 January 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2025.

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Elections in Meghalaya
General elections	... 2009 2014 2019 2024
Legislative Assembly	1972 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 2013 2018 2023
Autonomous District Councils	Garo Hills 1952 1957 1964 1972 1978 1983 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2015 2021 2026 Jaintia Hills 1952 1957 1967 1973 1978 1983 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019 2025 Khasi Hills 1952 1957 1967 1972 1978 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019 2025
See also: Elections in India