The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has decided to elect the new speaker on September 13.
Meghalaya Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Timothy D Shira on Monday announced September 13 as the date for the election of new Speaker of the Assembly.
Announcing this on the second day of the Assembly’s autumn session, Shira said filing of nomination papers and scrutiny of papers will be carried out on Tuesday.
Wednesday is the last day for withdrawal of nomination papers.
The ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has nominated UDP leader and cabinet minister Metbah Lyngdoh as the consensus candidate for the election to the Speaker’s post while the opposition has decided to field two-time Congress legislator from Salmanpara, Winnerson D Sangma.
The MDA government has a total strength of 40 MLAs, and the opposition Congress has 19 MLAs.
The new speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly has to be elected following the death of Speaker Donkupar Roy on July 28.
Donkupar, the veteran MLA who represented Shella constituency since 1988, held the Speaker post from March 12, 2018 till his death.