Shillong, March 24: The Meghalaya government has initiated steps to prepare a separate electoral roll for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) following the Governor’s approval of amendments restricting council elections to Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.
Deputy Chief Minister in-charge District Council Affairs, Prestone Tynsong, said the government will also write to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), urging them to amend similar provisions in their respective rules.
Tynsong confirmed that the six-month extension granted to the GHADC will remain unchanged despite the recent approval of the amendment to Rule 8, which now allows only ST candidates to contest elections.
He stated that the next step involves revisiting the voter registration process, adding that a separate electoral roll will be required for GHADC in line with existing practices in KHADC and JHADC, where only tribal voters are enlisted.
The Deputy Chief Minister further informed that the state government will soon formally communicate with KHADC and JHADC to adopt the same amendment and seek the Governor’s approval.
Linking the move to the recent unrest in Garo Hills, Tynsong expressed confidence that the amendment would help restore stability, stating that the law and order situation has improved and public aspirations have been addressed following the rule change.
