Shillong : The Meghalaya government has initiated preparations to create a separate electoral roll for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) following the approval of amended rules by Governor C H Vijayashankar, which bar non-tribals from contesting council elections.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of District Council Affairs, Prestone Tynsong, confirmed that the government will also write to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), urging them to adopt similar amendments to their respective rules.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said the government would not withdraw the six-month extension granted to the GHADC despite the Governor’s approval. He expressed gratitude to the Governor for approving the amendment to Rule 8, which now includes the term “only scheduled tribe,” making it mandatory for candidates to belong to Scheduled Tribes.
He further stated that the next crucial step involves revisiting and updating the electoral roll. According to him, a separate electoral roll will be necessary for GHADC, similar to the system already followed in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, where only tribal voters are included.
Tynsong added that the state government will soon officially communicate with KHADC and JHADC, asking them to amend Clause 8 of the AD Rules and submit it for the Governor’s approval.
The Deputy Chief Minister also linked the amendment to improved law and order in Garo Hills, where recent protests over non-tribal participation had led to the postponement of the elections. He expressed confidence that the situation has now stabilised and that the people, especially in the hilly areas, are satisfied with the amendment.