Krinilla R. Marak, whose husband and Nationalist Congress Party candidate Jonathone N. Sangma was killed by militants more than a month ago, has filed her nomination for the Williamnagar Assembly seat in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district.
An improvised explosive devise detonated by suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants had killed Sangma and three others while they were campaigning for NCP on February 18 ahead of the State’s Assembly elections. Election to the Williamnagar seat had to be postponed as a result.
Soon after Sangma’s death, the NCP had proposed to field his widow in Williamnagar. Last week, the Election Commission fixed April 27 as the by-poll date.
“I am overwhelmed by the support of the people and their regard for my late husband,” Ms. Marak said after filing her papers on Monday.
The NCP candidate had an April 10 deadline for filing nomination with April 13 as the last date for withdrawal of papers. The counting is scheduled on May 1.
The NCP candidate will be up against eight rivals, mainly incumbent Deborah C. Marak of Congress and Marcuise N. Marak of National People’s Party. The others are Santosh R. Marak of the BJP, Mahamsing M. Sangma of United Democratic Party and independents Sengbath R. Marak, Lahatson N. Marak, Siljong R. Marak and Jan N. Arengh.
Williamnagar has 32,021 voters, 16,567 male and 15,454 female.
GNLA, the outfit alleged to have killed Jonathone Sangma received a setback a week after his murder when the commando unit of Meghalaya Police killed its commander-in-chief Sohan D. Shira in an encounter. A month later, at least 10 members of the outfit surrendered.
Ampati by-poll later
Meghalaya’s Chief Electoral Officer Frederick R. Kharkongor said the by-poll date for Ampati, another vacant Assembly seat, has not been finalised yet.
Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul M. Sangma, who won from two Assembly seats in the February 29 election, gave up the Ampati seat last month. He retained the Songsak seat.
“The Election Commission decided to hold the by-poll for Williamnagar before Ampati because only one candidate (NCP) had to file nomination paper for the former,” Mr. Kharkongor said.
