Guwahati: The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved a further six-month extension of the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), with the council’s existing extension set to expire on October 17.
The GHADC elections were originally scheduled earlier this year but were postponed following communal violence in the Garo Hills region ahead of the proposed March polling. Subsequently, electoral rules were strengthened to ensure that only eligible tribal voters can contest and participate in GHADC elections.
However, elections have yet to be held as the delimitation of constituencies and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls are still in progress.
Under the applicable provisions, the term of the district council can be extended for a maximum of one year, in two separate six-month periods. The latest Cabinet decision therefore constitutes the second six-month extension within the permissible period.
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the delimitation exercise is expected to be completed shortly and expressed hope that elections to the GHADC would be conducted within the newly extended period.
Meanwhile, Tura MDC Bernard N Marak has questioned the independence and transparency of the ongoing delimitation exercise.
Marak claimed that it emerged during the last GHADC session that the chairman/convenor and another member of the Delimitation Committee are registered members of the National People’s Party (NPP).
“If persons entrusted with redrawing constituencies are politically affiliated to a ruling party, the Government has a duty to explain how the process can be regarded as independent,” Marak said.
He stressed that the delimitation process should remain fair, transparent and free from political influence, arguing that it should not become a justification for repeatedly extending the council’s tenure.
In a separate statement, leaders of Nangrimgimin A•chik Dol (NAD) and various NGOs said the Delimitation Committee had informed them that its work was complete.
According to the organisations, the committee is expected to submit its report to the GHADC Executive Committee on October 12. The subsequent process will depend on the Governor’s approval of the Special Election Rules, they said.
The organisations also expressed concern over the continued delay in holding MDC elections, particularly in the absence of broader consultation. They called for the autonomous character of the GHADC to be respected and urged authorities to complete the remaining electoral procedures transparently within a clearly defined timeline.