<p>The ruling Congress party has opened its account in the ninth Meghalaya assembly with former deputy chief minister Deborah Ch Marak winning from Williamnagar constituency.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"Deborah defeated her nearest rival Marcuise N. Marak of the National People's Party by 2,877 votes," Vijay Mantri, returning officer of East Garo Hills district, told IANS on phone Thursday.<br /><br />Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is set to return for the fifth consecutive time from the Ampati constituency. He is leading by a big margin of 4,000 votes.<br /><br />Before the vote counts, Sangma had said: "We are close to half-way mark and we are hoping to get more."<br /><br />Election Commission officials said Congress candidates were leading in 23 seats of the 60-member House assembly. <br /><br />The United Democratic Party in eight seats, Hill State People's Democratic Party - two, Nationalist Congress Party - two, National People's Party - one, North East Socialist Democratic Party - one and Independent - nine.<br /><br />Former Congress chief minister and state Congress party chief D.D. Lapang is leading in Nongpoh constituency.<br /><br />The Congress fielded candidates in all 60 constituencies while the United Democratic Party (UDP) contested 50 seats.<br /><br />In the 2008 assembly elections, the Congress emerged as the single party with 25 seats running short of six seats to get a clear majority. <br /></p>
<p>The ruling Congress party has opened its account in the ninth Meghalaya assembly with former deputy chief minister Deborah Ch Marak winning from Williamnagar constituency.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"Deborah defeated her nearest rival Marcuise N. Marak of the National People's Party by 2,877 votes," Vijay Mantri, returning officer of East Garo Hills district, told IANS on phone Thursday.<br /><br />Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is set to return for the fifth consecutive time from the Ampati constituency. He is leading by a big margin of 4,000 votes.<br /><br />Before the vote counts, Sangma had said: "We are close to half-way mark and we are hoping to get more."<br /><br />Election Commission officials said Congress candidates were leading in 23 seats of the 60-member House assembly. <br /><br />The United Democratic Party in eight seats, Hill State People's Democratic Party - two, Nationalist Congress Party - two, National People's Party - one, North East Socialist Democratic Party - one and Independent - nine.<br /><br />Former Congress chief minister and state Congress party chief D.D. Lapang is leading in Nongpoh constituency.<br /><br />The Congress fielded candidates in all 60 constituencies while the United Democratic Party (UDP) contested 50 seats.<br /><br />In the 2008 assembly elections, the Congress emerged as the single party with 25 seats running short of six seats to get a clear majority. <br /></p>