Shillong, Oct 9: The Nokma Sani Union (NSU), Garo Hills, has strongly condemned the state government’s decision to grant a second six-month extension to the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), describing it as unwarranted, unjustified and contrary to the spirit of democratic governance.
In a statement, the NSU said the union objected to undue interference by the state government in the electoral process of the GHADC.
“The constitutional status and autonomous character of the GHADC must be respected and its democratic functioning must not be undermined through repeated extensions,” the NSU said.
On Wednesday, the state cabinet approved a further six-month extension citing ongoing delimitation and Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The earlier extension expires on October 17.
The original schedule was postponed following communal violence ahead of polling in March.
NSU said there was no compelling justification for repeatedly extending the tenure when preparations were underway.
It noted that the first extension had addressed demands including mandatory ST certificates for MDC candidates and consideration of a separate electoral roll.
Referring to the PIL filed by Nilberth Ch Marak before the Meghalaya High Court, the union said the Court’s observations on the electoral process and delimitation report strengthened the case for early polls.
The union said its representatives met the Chief Executive Member and Delimitation Committee on October 6 and 7 and were informed the Committee would submit its report on October 12.
The NSU urged the government to conduct elections at the earliest and warned that if the government fails to act, it will be compelled to initiate democratic and constitutional action to safeguard rights of people of Garo Hills.
