SHILLONG, February 28 (NNN): For the first time in the history of matrilineal Meghalaya, as many as four women candidates were declared winners to the ninth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly today. Meghalaya, during the last elections, witnessed fewer women politicians.
In 1998, there were only three women representatives in the 60-member Assembly including Deborah Marak, Roshan Warjri, and Irene Lyngdoh. However, the number dropped to one woman legislator in 2003 and one in 2008.
There has been an increase in women’s participation in this year’s election with 25 women in the fray. Interestingly, all four victorious women candidates have contested on Congress ticket which fielded six. They have won by a comfortable margin, creating history in the House.
The four women candidates, also prominent faces, include former deputy chief minister, Deborah C Marak from Williamnagar, Urban Affairs Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh of East Shillong, CM’s wife, Dikanchi D Shira of Mahendraganj and former minister, Roshan Warjri from North Shillong constituency.
Deborah polled 6148 votes in all followed by Jonathane N Sangma with 4166 and NPP Maruius N Marak 3344, failing to retain the seat.
Sangma’s wife, Dikanchi D Shira, a new entrant to electoral politics won the Mahendraganj seat polling a total of 11,580 votes beating her nearest rival United Democratic Party (UDP) sitting legislator Nimarson Momin who polled 4721 votes. Warjri won a thumping majority against her opponents from the North Shillong seat.
Congress, which has been heading coalition governments in Meghalaya for decades now, has come back with a bang bagging altogether 29 seats in the 60-member house.
