Tura, February 7: The All A·chik Youth Federation (AAYF), Central Executive Board, has urged authorities to prevent non-tribal participation in the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, stating that the council was established exclusively to safeguard the interests of the tribal community under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
In a press statement, AAYF Vice President Rikkam P. Marak said the GHADC, constituted on April 14, 1952, was created to protect the culture, traditions, and identity of the Garo people in line with constitutional provisions applicable to tribal areas under Article 244(2).
The organization expressed concern that non-tribals have historically taken part in GHADC elections, allegedly due to earlier lack of awareness regarding the extent of protections granted to tribal communities under the Sixth Schedule. According to AAYF, such participation undermines the purpose of establishing autonomous district councils meant for tribal welfare and protection.
The federation has requested the District Election Officer and Returning Officer of Garo Hills to disqualify non-tribal candidates during nomination scrutiny and refrain from issuing voter slips to non-tribal voters in the GHADC elections.
However, AAYF clarified that it does not oppose non-tribal participation in State Assembly or Parliamentary elections, noting that those institutions function under different constitutional provisions.
The federation has also appealed to media organizations to highlight the matter in order to raise public awareness and bring the issue to the attention of the concerned authorities.
