Shillong, Oct 7: The state cabinet today approved a six-month extension of the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
The GHADC’s earlier six-month extension is due to expire on October 17. The original election date had been postponed following communal violence in Garo Hills ahead of polling in March. Since then, electoral rules have been tightened to make it impossible for non-tribals to stand in or vote in GHADC elections.
Elections still are not possible because the process of delimitation and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls are still underway.
The term of the district council can be extended for one year, in two six-month blocks. With today’s decision, the GHADC has received the second six-month extension within the permissible one year period.
Shylla said the delimitation process is expected to be completed soon and expressed hope that the GHADC election would be conducted within the extended six-month period.
Meanwhile, Tura MDC Bernard N Marak alleged that the GHADC delimitation exercise lacks independence and transparency. He said it was revealed in 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 said delimitation must be fair, transparent and free from partisan influence and cannot be used as a pretext to extend the council’s term.
In a separate statement, leaders of Nangrimgimin A•chik Dol (NAD) and NGOs said the Delimitation Committee has informed them that its work is completed and the report will be submitted to the GHADC Executive Committee on October 12, with the next step depending on Governor’s approval of Special Election Rules.
They raised concern over delay in MDC elections without adequate consultation and urged that the autonomous status of GHADC be respected and the process be completed transparently with a clear timeline.
