Shillong: Meghalaya BJP is backing new voter rules for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. Governor CH Vijayashankar recently signed off on the amendment. It restricts participation in council elections to native tribal communities only. The move follows months of mounting pressure from local groups.
BJP spokesperson M Kharkrang defended the change. He claims the council exists specifically to protect tribal identity and culture. "It does make sense if the electorate of the councils are just tribals," Kharkrang said. The council first moved to limit the franchise after communal violence erupted back in March.
The new rules mandate that every voter must be a member of a Scheduled Tribe. This status follows the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950 for the state of Meghalaya. Officials also lowered the voting age from 21 down to 18. The council will now maintain a separate electoral roll for all local constituencies.
Comments