The Bharatiya Janata Party retained the Laban assembly seat in Meghalaya on Monday.

Its candidate Jopsimon Phanbuh defeated her nearest rival Sanbor Shullai of the Nationalist Congress Party by 1,639 votes.

Phanbuh polled 3,114 votes, while Shullai polled 1,475, returning officer and deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district, D P Wahlang, said.

Stalin Lyngdoh of the Congress came third, bagging 1341 votes.

Thirteen contestants were in the fray for the September 26 by-poll, necessitated by the death of BJP legislator T H Rangad.

Phanbuh is the widow of the dead leader.