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Meghalaya Groups Seek Separate Tribal Voter Roll

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Shillong
  • Apr 11, 2026
  • 68

Several pressure groups in Meghalaya have petitioned the Chief Executive Member of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council to amend existing laws and create a separate electoral roll for council elections that would exclude non-tribal voters.

The elections to the GHADC, originally scheduled for April 10, were postponed following violence linked to nomination filings by non-tribal candidates, most of whom were Bengali-speaking Muslims. The unrest turned deadly in March when police opened fire on rampaging mobs in the Chibinang area of West Garo Hills, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.

Joint Memorandum to GHADC Leadership

In a joint memorandum, several organisations urged swift action from Dhormonath Ch. Sangma, the council’s Chief Executive Member. The signatories included:

  • Association of Democratic Empowerment
  • A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement
  • A’chik Youth Welfare Organisation
  • Federation of A’chik Freedom
  • Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People
  • Garo Students’ Union

Call for Electoral Reforms

The groups argued that permitting non-tribal individuals to vote or contest in tribal council elections undermines the spirit of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which is intended to safeguard the rights and identity of indigenous tribal communities.

“The elections to the GHADC warrant restricting voting rights and candidature to members of the Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Meghalaya,” a spokesperson said. The organisations also cautioned that merely possessing an ST certificate might not prevent proxy voting or misrepresentation.

Legal Context and Land Protection

The petition highlighted that existing laws—such as the Garo Hills District (Transfer of Land) Act, 1955 and the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1972—already restrict non-tribal ownership of land in Sixth Schedule areas. However, the groups contended that weak enforcement and minimal penalties have allowed violations to persist. They recommended imposing stricter penalties, including fines amounting to several lakhs of rupees.

Controversy Over Exclusion of Non-Tribal Candidates

The GHADC comprises 30 constituencies, with Muslims forming a majority in at least five seats located in the plains belt of West Garo Hills district. This demographic factor has added complexity to the ongoing debate.

On March 24, Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar granted assent to new GHADC legislation barring non-tribal individuals from contesting tribal council elections. Following this development, tribal organisations asserted that similar restrictions should also apply to non-tribal voters.

Aim: Protecting Tribal Identity and Ensuring Peace

The memorandum urged Mr. Sangma and his team to initiate necessary reforms to safeguard tribal rights, identity, and long-term interests while fostering peace and stability in the region. Proponents believe that such measures would strengthen the autonomy envisioned under the Sixth Schedule, though the proposal has sparked significant debate over issues of representation and inclusivity.