Meghalaya is on the path to limiting Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections to Scheduled Tribes (STs), following a significant amendment by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), approved by Governor C. H. Vijayashankar. This amendment mandates ST certificates for all candidates in GHADC elections, effectively prohibiting non-tribals from contesting, addressing a long-standing issue since the council’s inception in 1952. The amendment, unanimously passed by 26 Members of the District Council (MDCs), is viewed as a crucial step toward preserving the constitutional mandates of ADCs under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, aimed at protecting tribal governance.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong announced plans for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) to consider similar amendments, promoting a coherent policy across all three ADCs. Discussions regarding revising electoral rolls in GHADC are underway to exclude non-tribals from voting, potentially establishing a separate voter list for STs.
This development follows recent unrest in Garo Hills due to non-tribal candidates filing nominations, which resulted in violence, loss of life, property damage, and curfews leading to postponed elections. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma praised the amendment as a pivotal step for tribal identity, with local BJP MDC Bernard N. Marak celebrating the day for the A·chik community.
Indigenous organizations, including the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), have urged KHADC and JHADC to amend existing rules to prevent non-tribals from contesting and voting. Additionally, a delegation of groups, including Garo Students’ Union and FKJGP, met with the Governor to advocate for mandatory ST certification for voters. The Governor committed to reviewing these concerns and discussed the possibility of a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls prior to the elections. Observers suggest that if KHADC and JHADC follow suit, Meghalaya could see a unified ST-only electoral system across all ADCs, reinforcing tribal protections under the Sixth Schedule.