| Election Name: | 1978 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election |
| Country: | India |
| Type: | parliamentary |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1983 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election |
| Next Year: | 1983 |
| Seats For Election: | All 60 seats in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly |
| Majority Seats: | 31 |
| Election Date: | 25 February 1978 |
| Turnout: | 67.18% |
| Party1: | All Party Hill Leaders Conference |
| Popular Vote1: | 94,362 |
| Percentage1: | 24.92 |
| Swing1: | 10.75 |
| Seats Before1: | 32 |
| Seats1: | 16 |
| Seat Change1: | 16 |
| Party2: | Indian National Congress |
| Popular Vote2: | 109,654 |
| Percentage2: | 28.96 |
| Swing2: | 19.07 |
| Seats Before2: | 9 |
| Seats2: | 20 |
| Seat Change2: | 11 |
| Chief Minister | |
| Before Election: | Williamson A. Sangma |
| Before Party: | All Party Hill Leaders Conference |
| After Election: | Darwin Diengdoh Pugh |
| After Party: | All Party Hill Leaders Conference |
The 1978 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly election was held on 25 February 1978.[1] No party secured a majority of seats in the election. Following negotiations, a coalition government, known as the Meghalaya United Legislative Party, was formed between the All Party Hill Leaders Conference, the Hill State People's Democratic Party and the Public Demands Implementation Convention (PDIC). Due to an inability to reach agreement between the coalition parties, the position of Chief Minister was chosen by drawing lots; subsequently, on 10 March 1978, Darwin Diengdoh Pugh was sworn in as the state's second Chief Minister.[2] Miriam D Shira from Garo Hills was the only woman elected to the legislature.[3]
| Parties and coalitions | Popular vote | Seats | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | ±pp | Won | +/− | |||||
| Indian National Congress (INC) | 109,654 | 28.96 | 19.07 | 20 | 11 | ||||
| All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC) | 94,362 | 24.92 | 10.75 | 16 | 16 | ||||
| Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) | 72,852 | 19.24 | 14 | ||||||
| Indian National Congress (I) | 5,447 | 1.44 | 0 | ||||||
| Communist Party of India | 2,361 | 0.62 | 0.05 | 0 | |||||
| Independents (IND) | 93,970 | 24.82 | 29.04 | 10 | 9 | ||||
| Total | 378,646 | 100.00 | 60 | ±0 | |||||
| Source: Election Commission of India[4] | |||||||||
Two candidates from the PDIC were elected, but the party had not obtained registration in time for the election; the party's representatives were recorded as independents in the official results.[5]
| Constituency | Reserved for (SC/ST/None) | Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| War-jaintia | ST | Johndeng Pohrmen | ||
| Rymbai | ST | Obil Kyndait | ||
| Sutnga-shangpung | ST | Barrister Pakem | ||
| Raliang | ST | Humphrey Hadem | ||
| Nartiang | ST | H.britainwar Dan | ||
| Nongbah-wahiajer | ST | Albin Lamare | ||
| Jowai | ST | Tylli Kyndiah | ||
| Mawhati | ST | Martin N. Majaw | ||
| Umroi | ST | Evansius Kek Mawlong | ||
| Nongpoh | ST | D. Dethwelson Lapang | ||
| Jirang | ST | Snomick Kalwing | ||
| Mairang | ST | Fuller Lyngdoh Mawnai | ||
| Nongspung | ST | Winstone Syiemiong | ||
| Sohiong | ST | Medras Mylliem | ||
| Mylliem | ST | Lambourine Kharlukhi | ||
| Malki-nongthymmai | ST | Upstar Kharbuli | ||
| Laitumkharah | ST | Peter Garnette Marbaniang | ||
| Pynthorumkhrah | None | B. K. Roy | ||
| Jaiaw | ST | P. Ripple Kyndiah | ||
| Mawkhar | ST | D. D. Pugh | ||
| Mawprem | None | Dhrubanath Joshi | ||
| Laban | None | Bhaskar Choudhury | ||
| Mawlai | ST | Stanlington D. Khongwir | ||
| Sohryngkham | ST | Grosswell Mylliemngap | ||
| Dienglieng | ST | Jungai Khongjoh | ||
| Nongkrem | ST | Dominic Roblin Nongkhynrih | ||
| Lyngkyrdem | ST | Brington Buhai Lyngdoh | ||
| Nongshken | ST | Maham Singh | ||
| Sohra | ST | Phaindrojen Swer | ||
| Shella | ST | Stanley D.d.nichols Roy | ||
| Mawsynram | ST | Karadoklie E. Tariang | ||
| Mawkyrwat | ST | Rowell Lyngdoh | ||
| Pariong | ST | Tubarlin Lyngdoh | ||
| Nongstoin | ST | Endro Lawphniaw | ||
| Langrin | ST | Bakstarwell Wanniang | ||
| Mawthengkut | ST | Ledishon Nongsiang | ||
| Baghmara | ST | Williamson A. Sangma | ||
| Rongrenggiri | ST | Albinstone M. Sangma | ||
| Rongjeng | ST | Pleander G. Momin | ||
| Kharkutta | ST | Prithington Sangma | ||
| Mendipathar | ST | Beninstand G. Momin | ||
| Resubelpara | ST | Salseng Marak | ||
| Songsak | ST | Miriam D.shira | ||
| Bajengdoba | ST | Grohonsing Marak | ||
| Tikrikilla | ST | Jagendranath Bantha | ||
| Dadenggiri | ST | Bronson Momin | ||
| Rongchugiri | ST | M. Reidson Momin | ||
| Phulbari | None | |||
| Rajabala | ST | |||
| Selsella | ST | Girash Marak | ||
| Rongram | ST | Crunden S. Sangma | ||
| Tura | ST | Singjan Sangma | ||
| Chokpot | ST | Jackman Marak | ||
| Kherapara | ST | Alfrien Marak | ||
| Dalu | ST | Mukul Das | ||
| Dalamgiri | ST | Armison Marak | ||
| Rangsakona | ST | Jendew Ch. Marak | ||
| Ampatigiri | ST | Bhadreswar Koch | ||
| Salmanpura | ST | Meckenson K.sangma | ||
| Mahendraganj | None | Manik Ch. Das | ||