Shillong: The Nokma Sani Union (NSU) blasted the Meghalaya government for pushing back Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections for a second time. The group slammed the move as "unwarranted and unjustified" in a statement released Thursday. They fear these repeated delays rot the core of this Sixth Schedule institution.
State officials cite the ongoing delimitation work and a special review of voter rolls as reasons for the delay. The current six-month extension runs dry on October 17. The NSU rejected these excuses. They claim that election prep is moving along fine and there is no reason to stall the democratic process any longer.
Elections were first pushed from March after riots hit the Garo Hills. Since then, the NSU has kept tabs on progress, including a High Court of Meghalaya case brought by Nilbath Ch. Marak. The union met with the GHADC Chief Executive Member and the Delimitation Committee on October 6 and 7. They expect the committee to drop its final report on October 12.
The current Executive Committee finishes its term around October 17 or 18. The NSU demanded election authorities trigger the voting process immediately. They reminded the state that the council, founded in 1952, represents tribal self-governance that demands respect. If the government keeps stalling, the union promises to take further lawful action to protect the rights of Garo Hills residents.
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