Shillong: The High Court of Meghalaya has given the state government three weeks to file an affidavit regarding a public interest litigation that demands the immediate scheduling of elections for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. Social activists Nilbath Marak and Flaming Marak filed the petition in May after the government postponed the vote.
Officials deferred the polls in March due to widespread violence in the Garo Hills. The unrest stemmed from public opposition to the participation of non-tribal candidates in the election. While the government decision initially received support, the petitioners now argue that conditions are stable enough to proceed, particularly after the Governor issued an order restricting candidacy to those with scheduled tribe certificates.
The petitioners maintain that the term of the council officially expired on April 12. They argue that administrative rule should have been implemented once the term ended. Additionally, the legal challenge addresses the status of four nominations submitted before the delay. Addressing these candidates, Flaming Marak stated, “There should be a refund of the money they paid while filing nominations as the election was postponed. However, our main point is that there should not be a delay in announcing the election, as this can drag on forever if nothing is done about it.”
The petitioners further cited Supreme Court precedents, noting that elections should not be halted once the Model Code of Conduct is in effect. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for July 3.
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