SHILLONG, MAY 12: With the Shillong Lok Sabha seat lying vacant since February, Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer Dr BDR Tiwari on Tuesday said the byelection must be held within six months of the incumbent’s death, and the state’s poll machinery is ready for the exercise.

“As per the mandate, the byelection is supposed to happen within six months of the demise of the sitting late MP of Shillong parliamentary constituency,” Tiwari said, responding to queries on the likely date of the poll.

He added, “We are fully prepared to conduct the byelection.”

VPP MP Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon, who represented Shillong, passed away on February 19, 2026, necessitating the bypoll.

The electoral contest is already taking shape.

The ruling National People’s Party has announced KAS president Dr DRL Nonglait as its nominee, while the opposition Voice of the People Party will field Prof Batskhem Myrboh.

On the upcoming Rajya Sabha election from the state, Tiwari indicated it would be held before the seat falls vacant. “As per the schedule given, very soon before the seat is getting vacant, I hope somewhere in the month of June,” he said.