Meghalaya election 2018: Congress fails to retain power in the state

It's a hung assembly in Meghalaya. The Congress party won 29 seats in the last assembly elections, two short of a simple majority, but the number has dropped significantly this time, as it came out victorious only in 21 constituencies. It has won the most number of seats but is 10 MLAs short to claim the power.

The National People's Party (NPP) has won 19 seats while its ally BJP won two, taking the total to 21. But it is also 10 MLAs short of the magic figure 31.

So now, all eyes will be on regional parties – the United Democratic Party, People's Democratic Front, Hill State People's Democratic Party – and Independent candidates, as their support will be crucial for both Congress and BJP-NPP alliance to form the government in the state.

Election for Williamnagar constituency is still pendind as the Election Commission of India has countermanded it after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Jonathone N Sangma was killed in an IED blast a week ahead of the election. However, the outcome of the election result in this constituency won't make much difference as all parties and alliances are clearly short of the reaching the magic figure.

Also read: Tripura election 2018: BJP set to form government in CPM bastion after claiming majority
Nagaland election 2018: Will BJP stick to its new ally NDPP or go back to its old friend NPF?

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Live update

04:27 pm: "I express my gratitude to the people of Meghalaya for supporting @BJP4Meghalaya. The welfare of Meghalaya is of utmost importance for us. I appreciate the BJP Karyakartas for their continued efforts in the state to serve the people," tweeted PM Narendra Modi.

04:01 pm: "People of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura have spoken! I thank the people of these states for supporting the good governance agenda and 'Act East Policy' of @BJP4India & our valued allies. We remain committed to working towards fulfilling the dreams & aspirations of the people," said PM Narendra Modi.

03:22 pm: Results in 31 seats of 59 declared
BJP - 2
INC - 12
Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) - 2
National People's Party (NPP) - 5
United Democratic Party (UDP) - 5
Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) - 1
People's Democratic Front (PDF) - 2
Independent - 2

02:46 pm: Meghalaya appears to be heading for a hung government with Congress led by CM Mukul Sangma unlikely to touch the magic figure of 31. The party is leading in 23 constituencies, followed by NPP -- 15,  UDP+ -- 7, BJP -- 4, and others -- 10.

02:14 pm: Macmillan Byrsat (NPP) defeats Gabriel Wahlang (INC) by just 60 votes in Nongstoin constituency. Byrsat got 9284 votes while Wahlang got 9224.

02:10 pm: BJP's Alexander Laloo Hek, who defected from the Congress before the polls, wins from Pynrthorumkhrah constituency after beating PPF's James Ban Basaiawmoit, Banpynshngainlang Rumnong fo Congress and four other candidates.

Result status at 1:35

12:25 pm: NPP's chief ministerial candidate Agatha Sangma has taken a narrow lead over BJP's Billykid Sangma in South Tura constituency. Counting of vote is still in progress

12:06 pm: Former MP Agatha Sangma, chief ministerial candidate of NPP, is trailing to Billykid Sangma in South Tura

11:59 am: Incumbent chief minister Mukul Sangma of Congress wins from both Songsak and Ampati constituencies

10:55 am: Counting of vote in all 59 constituencies underway. Congress leading in 23, NPP - 14, BJP 5, UDP+HSPDP - 6

10:17 am: Congress leads in 20 constituencies, NPP - 16, BJP - 7, UDP+HSPDP - 9

09:30 am: Out of 37 constituencies where counting of votes is underway, Congress leads in 15, NPP - 9, BJP - 5, UDP+HSPDP - 5

08:57 am: Vote counting has started in 26 out of 59 constituencies. NPP leading in 11 constituencies, Congress - 7, BJP - 5

08:32 am: Congress leading in one constituency where vote counting has begun 

08:05 am: Counting of votes will be done in 13 counting centres amid tight security.

08:01 am: Re-polling at Kyndong Tuber polling station in Raliang constituency will be held from 7 am to 4 pm on Sunday.

Which party will form the next government in Meghalaya – the Congress or the NPP-BJP alliance? Will the third front consisting of UDP and HSPDP be able to upset the dreams of the national parties? Well, you will soon come to know the state assembly election 2018 results.

Stay tuned to this page as we provide you the live updates when the counting of votes begins at 8 am on Saturday, March 3.

A total of 372 candidates contested for 59 seats for Meghalaya's 60-member Assembly on February 27. The election in Williamnagar constituency was withheld after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Jonathone N Sangma was killed in an IED blast on February 18.

The Indian National Congress has contested in 59 constituencies, while NPP fielded 52 candidates and the BJP in 47. Dozens of candidates from other political parties, including The United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP), the Garo National Council (GNC) and independents are in the fray.

The exit poll by JanKiBaat-NewsX has predicted a 23-27 seats win for NPP and 8-12 seats for its ally BJP, while expecting Congress to win 13-17 seats. CVoter's exit poll has predicted that NPP will win 17-23 seats and projected that the Congress would manage to win at 13-19 seats.

08: 01 am: Re-polling at Kyndong Tuber polling station in Raliang constituency will be held from 7 am to 4 pm on Sunday.