Shillong, Aug. 24: Sitting legislators, a father-daughter duo, a post-graduate in social work and lawyers have featured in the first list of candidates of the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) for next year's Meghalaya Assembly polls.

The party's state election committee met today to declare the names of the 10 candidates, including sitting legislators K.P. Pangniang from Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency, Witting Mawsor from Mawshynrut and Diosstarness Jyndiang from Nongstoin.

The HSPDP is in alliance with the United Democratic Party (UDP) for the 2018 polls in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region of the state.

Meghalaya has 60 Assembly seats, out of which 36 are in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills comprising six administrative districts while the remaining 24 are in Garo hills, which has five administrative districts.

According to the seat-sharing agreement covering 36 Assembly seats, the HSPDP will contest in 10 seats while the UDP will set up candidates in 17 constituencies. The remaining nine seats are likely to see a friendly contest between the two parties.

Moreover, the party named former minister Pynshai Manik Syiem and his daughter Teilinia Thangkhiew, who is also a member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), as candidates from Mawphlang and Mylliem constituencies respectively.

Biolinda Lyngdoh Nonglait, a post-graduate in social work, will contest from Mawthadraishan constituency while KHADC member Samlin Malngiang will face home minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh in Sohiong constituency.

Another former minister who is in the fray is Martle N. Mukhim from Mawkynrew constituency.

From North Shillong and Sutnga-Saipung constituencies, the party has chosen two lawyers, Alester Neville Diengdoh and Defender Pakem, respectively.

The remaining candidates will be announced subsequently, HSPDP media cell in-charge Londoner M. Sohtun said.