SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has praised the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) for amending its election rules to restrict voting rights in council elections exclusively to resident citizens belonging to the Scheduled Tribes of Meghalaya.
He described the move as a historic step in reinforcing constitutional safeguards and protecting the identity of the state’s indigenous population.
The GHADC formally approved amendments to Rules 128 and 129 on August 10, establishing a dedicated electoral roll for district council elections, distinct from the general state assembly voter lists.
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This legal framework now ensures that only indigenous tribal residents are eligible to vote in GHADC elections, effectively setting clear parameters for participation in the council’s autonomous governance.
Chief Minister Sangma emphasized that this reform is a significant milestone, aligning with the government’s ongoing commitment to uphold the constitutional privileges and heritage of the region.
By limiting the franchise to Scheduled Tribes, he said, the council is preserving the unique cultural identity, political rights, and historical autonomy of Meghalaya’s tribal communities.
(4FrontMedia news)
