Shillong: Garo Hills now has a separate electoral roll. Governor CH Vijayashankar signed the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) (Garo Hills Autonomous District Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, on September 29. The state published the new rules in the Official Gazette shortly after.
The Garo Students Union backed the move. GSU president Zikku Balgra N. Marak praised the executive committee led by Dhormonath Sangma for pushing the change. The union also credited Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong for moving the legislation through the District Council Affairs department.
The change bars non-tribals from voting in future district council elections. This move aims to protect tribal identity and the right of indigenous groups to manage their own political path. The GSU says the rules reinforce Sixth Schedule provisions. "The new rules will help safeguard tribal identity and the right of indigenous communities to determine their political future," the union stated.
The student group thanked local residents for their support. They view the policy as a win for tribal autonomy across the region.
Updated at 3rd October 2026 at 5:46am
The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) Garo Hills Zone added their voice to the support for the amendment, citing a fight they have waged since 2010. Their president, Pritam Arengh, noted that the group pushed for this change through rallies, dharnas, and a boycott of the 2015 GHADC elections. The FKJGP confirmed the rules were formally notified on September 30.
Addressing the non-tribal community, the FKJGP stated the move targets political empowerment rather than any specific group. The organization is now pivoting to other demands, calling for the implementation of Garo Customary Law, set service rules for council employees, a Public Accounts Committee, and a digital payment system for all council revenue.
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