The Meghalaya Cabinet on Wednesday approved a six-month extension of the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), allowing more time for completion of the election process.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting on October 7, Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said the extension was necessary as the delimitation process and preparation of the electoral roll were still underway.
Shylla said the previous six-month extension was due to expire on October 17. He explained that there was a provision to extend the council’s term for a total period of one year, with the Cabinet now approving the second six-month extension.
He said the election could not be conducted earlier due to an “unfortunate incident” and the situation that had arisen in Garo Hills. Since then, the government has been working on delimitation and the electoral roll revision process required before conducting the polls.
“The process for the delimitation is still on. It is going to be completed soon,” Shylla said, expressing hope that the election process for the GHADC would be completed within the additional six-month period.
He added that the GHADC extension was the only formal agenda discussed during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.