Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court closed a public interest litigation regarding the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council general election on Monday. Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh ruled it improper to force the vote right now. The bench noted the petitioner can return to court if officials delay the ballot further. They kept all legal arguments open for future review.
Nilberth Ch. Marak filed the suit to demand immediate elections or direct administrative rule. State lawyers countered that the vote remains on hold because of persistent unrest. A government notice dated March 11, 2026, officially postponed the process. Following this, the Governor extended the current council term from April 19 to October 18, 2026, under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Violence killed two people during March nomination clashes in West Garo Hills. Protests erupted over rules forcing non-tribal candidates to provide Scheduled Tribe certificates, a policy the court later struck down. The state government imposed curfews and pulled the plug on internet access to stabilize the region. State officials stated, "The election had been postponed in view of the law-and-order situation."
The GHADC launched a committee on April 6, 2026, to study population data and redraw constituency lines. This group must deliver a draft delimitation proposal within six months. The Executive Committee retains the power to grant extra time for this work. Election officials originally planned to hold the vote on April 10.
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