Jonathone’s widow files nomination for Williamnagar seat

SHILLONG, APR 9: Krinilla Marak, candidate of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and wife of late Jonathone N Sangma, who was killed in an IED attack, today filed here nominations for the upcoming election to the Williamnagar assembly seat, to be held on April 27.

“We have received her (Marak) nomination papers,” district election officer Ram Kumar said here.

While the last date for filing of nomination was fixed on April 10, the last date of withdrawal of nominations will be on April 13 and the elections will be held from 7 am to 4 pm on April 27, he said. The counting of votes will be held on May 2.

Marak is one among the 9 candidates who will be contesting for the upcoming election.

These include sitting Congress legislator Deborah C Marak, NPP candidate Marcuis N Marak, UDP candidate Mahamsing M Sangma, BJP candidate Santosh R Marak and four Independents – Sengbath R Marak, Siljong R Marak, Jan N Arengh and Lahatson N Marak.

While elections to the 59 of the 60 seats were held on February 27, the election to the Williamnagar seat was countermanded following the killing of Marak’s husband Jonathone N Sangma along with three others in an IED attack.

The NCP has been demanding investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the murder of its candidate.

Marak, a mother of five kids, decided to join the fray based on the request of the people and strong supporters of her husband.

Earlier, NCP chief Saleng A Sangma had said that Jonathone’s wife has become a people’s choice for the seat even as he expressed confidence that the victory will be in favour of the party. He had also admitted that the sympathy vote will surely come into play during the election.

By Our Reporter