Meghalaya High Court Clears Woman to Run in Village Employment Council Election

Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court has overturned an order that prevented a woman from running in the upcoming Village Employment Council election in the West Garo Hills. A division bench, led by Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh, issued the ruling following an appeal filed by Ambiya Begum.

Begum had previously challenged a single judge's decision to uphold her disqualification from the election in the Sobribari region. During the recent proceedings, the state government clarified its position by presenting a letter from the Block Development Officer and Programme Officer of the Selsella C&RD Block. The document confirmed that the local authorities had no objection to her candidacy.

The court acknowledged the state's update and determined that the initial disqualification, which was issued on May 25, 2026, could no longer be upheld. Following the formal cancellation of the original order, the judges concluded that "nothing survives for further consideration in the appeal" and closed the case. This decision officially clears the path for Begum to participate in the vote.