SHILLONG: Balajied Kupar Synrem of the United Democratic Party (UDP) is leading over his nearest rival Grace Mary Kharpuri, an independent candidate, by over 5,000 votes in the by-poll to Shella Assembly constituency in Meghalaya.
While Synrem has garnered 10,586 votes, Kharpuri has secured 5,162 votes, as per the latest trends.
The by-election to the seat in the East Khasi Hills district has been necessitated following the death of Synrem's father Donkupar Roy, who was the sitting MLA.
Roy was a former chief minister and the speaker of the 10th Meghalaya Assembly.
He was also the president of the UDP.