Shillong (Meghalaya), March 24: Governor C H Vijayashankar has given his assent to a resolution making Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates mandatory for candidates contesting Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections. This move is seen as a significant step in safeguarding the rights and representation of indigenous tribal communities in Garo Hills.
The resolution, spearheaded by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, was passed by the GHADC on Monday, aiming to restrict elections to tribal contestants for the first time since the council’s creation in 1952. This decision follows weeks of violent protests against non-tribal participation in the council elections, which were initially scheduled for April 10.
The GHADC, established under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, is tasked with protecting the customs, traditions, and governance systems of the tribal population in Garo Hills. By making ST certificates mandatory, the council aims to ensure that representation remains with the people it was created to protect.
Chief Minister Sangma welcomed the Governor’s approval, stating that the move would remove ambiguity and ensure only eligible candidates contest GHADC elections. The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) had also urged the Governor to make ST certificates mandatory, arguing that allowing non-tribals to participate dilutes constitutional safeguards for indigenous communities.
