Shillong, Sep 14 (IANS): Former Meghalaya Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh was on Friday elected the state Assembly Speaker.

The election was necessitated following the demise of incumbent Donkupar Roy on July 28. Roy, the President of the ruling coalition partner, United Democratic Party (UDP), was elected to the post on March 12, 2018.

Lyngdoh got 39 votes in the 60-member house whose effective strength is 59, while Winnerson Sangma, on his second foray for the post, polled 19 votes, Deputy Speaker Timothy Dalbot Shira announced. Shira himself abstained from voting.

Lyngdoh, a three-time legislator from Mairang assembly constituency, is now the President of the UDP, a key partner in the National People's Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance coalition.

On Tuesday, Lyngdoh, who was Tourism, Excise and Water Resources Minister from March 6, 2018, resigned from the Conrad Sangma ministry to pave way for his election to the Speaker's post.

"I accept this task with humility and gratitude and I will try to level best to maintain the decorum of the house, as we know it, Meghalaya Assembly has a high standard of the debates and dignity," Lyngdoh said.

In the Assembly with an effective strength of 59, the National People's Party has 21 members, the UDP has eight, the People's Democratic Front four, there are two members each from Bharatiya Janata Party and Hill State People's Party, one member each from Nationalist Congress Party and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement besides one independent member.

The opposition Congress has 19 members.

Congratulating Lyngdoh for being elected as Speaker, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said: "The ruling side will miss you in the government."

Praising Lyngdoh, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma said: "He (Lyngdoh) is an amiable person and who can run the House."