By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Amid anxiety and suspense, the fate of 345 candidates, who contested the 60 Assembly seats, will be known on Thursday with the counting of votes starting at 8 am amidst tight security across 13 centres in the State.
Chief Electoral Officer P Naik on Wednesday said that the first results will be known by 10 am.
Over 13 lakh voters (13,22,664, including postal ballots of 17,225) will choose 60 members to form the 9th Assembly.
For the first time in the recent past, suspense was created after the polls on February 23 due to the claims and counter claims by the candidates regarding their wins.
The electoral battle was tough this time as compared to the past in the context of delimitation of constituencies where as many as 16 sitting legislators have to fight each other to retain supremacy.
The day is crucial for Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma as he has fielded his wife, Dikkanchi Shira, and his brother, Zenith Sangma, aiming for a triple win.
Dr Sangma is hoping to get maximum seats for the Congress from Garo Hills out of the total 24 seats as this will make him an undisputed leader of the Congress Legislature Party and the next Chief Minister.
However, PA Sangma and his sons, Conrad Sangma and James Sangma, and other NPP candidates might spoil the chances of the Congress candidates.
The Congress rebels, who are contesting as Independent candidates will also put hurdles for the Congress to emerge victorious both in Garo Hills and Khasi Hills.
There are as many as 122 Independents trying their luck in the polls.
Some candidates who were former Congressmen and now contesting from Samajwadi Party can also shatter the dreams of many Congress candidates in Garo Hills.
The Samajwadi Party has fielded 11 candidates this time.
Winning the Nongpoh seat for former Chief Minister and MPCC president DD Lapang would be significant as he can emerge as a strong contender for the post of the next Chief Minister.
Former Chief Minister SC Marak is another political figure who is hoping for a win after two consecutive defeats since 2003.
The day is also important for Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope and his son David Nongrum.
The fate of two Deputy Chief Ministers, Bindo Lanong and Rowell Lyngdoh, will also be known on Thursday.
All eyes are on Sohiong, the only constituency in the State where two candidates, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh (Congress) and Breston Kharphuli (UDP) are engaged in a direct fight.
One of the most interesting results will be of Mawshynrut where there are a maximum of 12 candidates, the highest in the State.
As the Congress has fielded candidates in all the 60 seats, maximum win of the party candidates in Khasi Hills region is essential for the Government formation considering the fact that the major regional political outfit, United Democratic Party, which contested in 50 seats, can pose hurdles to the Congress.
UDP is banking on the possible victory of the party president and former Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, senior leader Bindo Lanong, working president Paul Lyngdoh, party leader JA Lyngdoh, among others to strengthen its claim to be part of the next Government.
The oldest regional political party, HSPDP led by its veteran leader HS Lyngdoh, hopes to improve its tally from the current two members. The party fielded 17 candidates with a focus on West Khasi Hills.
The future of NCP in Meghalaya will be decided on Thursday. The party fielded as many as 21 candidates after its former leader PA Sangma formed NPP and fielded 32 candidates.
There are indications of more women candidates getting elected this time with a total of 25 candidates in fray.
BJP with 13 candidates is hoping to retain its past seats whereas other contesting political parties including Samajwadi Party (11), GNC (6) KHNAM(4) LJP (4) MDP (2) CPI, Rashtriya Secular Congress and North East Social Democratic Party (one each) are trying to make their presence felt.