A SIMULTANEOUS ELECTION
The Election Commission had complied with the wishes of the political parties, the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Congress to hold elections to two vacant seats of South Tura in Garo Hills and Ranikor in the Khasi Hills, to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on August 23. The logic being that the elections on different dates may affect the voting pattern trend, which would benefit specially the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance. South Tura has attracted attention, as Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, should get himself formally elected as member of the State legislature. His sister, Agatha K. Sangma being the sitting member, had resigned to give way to her brother, while she would in turn contest the Tura Lok Sabha in place of her brother. The ruling MDA alliance partner, the united Democratic Party (UDP), had pledged support to NPP Conrad Sangma, although UDP local unit had voiced setting up its own candidate On the other hand the Congress is propping up Charlotte W. Momin, former Principal of Tura Government Public School.