01 May, 12:30 (IST)

The ruling National People's Party (NPP) has won the Williamnagar assembly bypoll by a margin of over 4,000 votes. The seat has been bagged by NPP candidate Marcuise Marak, who secured 9,558 votes. Read full report.

01 May, 11:17 (IST)

The National People's Party (NPP) is leading the bypoll contest from Willianagar by nearly 3,500 votes. Their candidate Marcuise Marak has so far obtained 7,217 votes. An Independent candidate, Sengbath Marak, is a distant second with 3,700 votes, where, Congress' Deborah Marak is trailing third with with 3,481 votes.

01 May, 10:20 (IST)

The counting of votes is underway in the Williamnagar assembly constituency. The early trends are yet to be released by the Election Commission. Stay tuned for updates.

Shillong, May 1: Counting of votes is currently underway in the Williamnagar constituency, where the assembly bypoll was held last week. The by-election was necessitated as the seat was not contested in the statewide legislative polls held in February. Polling was deferred in Williamnagar due to the death of the then NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma in a militant attack on February 18 -- days before the slated elections on February 27.

Polling was conducted last Thursday in 58 polling booths earmarked by the Commission. No incidents of violence were reported during the voting process. The State Election Commission recorded a 78.82 per cent voter turnout. The constituency's registered electoral strength is 32,021.

Candidates in fray:

- The ruling National People's Party (NPP) of Conrad Sangma had nominated Marcuise Marak as its candidate from the constituency.

- The Congress had reposed its faith in the incumbent legislator from the seat, Deborah Marak.

- NCP had given the ticket to it's deceased candidate Jonathone Sangma's widow Krenilla Marak.

Electioneering was witnessed in full pitch with public rallies addressed by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, State Home Minister James Sangma, Siju Rongara MLA Rakkam A Sangma and Mawshynrut MLA G Myrthong.

Meanwhile, the campaign for the Congress was headed by former CM Mukul Sangma, who held over nine public meetings ahead of the assembly polls.

For the Congress, a victory in the Williamnagar assembly seat will take its legislative to strength to 22 in the 60-member House. The party remains the single-largest unit in the assembly, despite being in the Opposition. The NPP-led by Conrad Sangma, with 19 seats, is ruling the state with support from BJP, JD(U) and Independents.