SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has announced its decision to extend the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council’s current term by six months following violent protests against non-tribal participation in the electioneering process.
The decision was approved by the state Cabinet virtually chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday.
Addressing media persons after the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home and District Council Affairs Prestone Tynsong said the Cabinet met with a single agenda relating to the extension of the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
After detailed deliberation and discussion, the Cabinet decided to extend the term of the current House for a period of six months with effect from April 18 to October 18, 2026.
The decision came hours after Albinush R. Marak resigned as chief executive member amid a no confidence push by 21 members of the district council.
By the afternoon, the House elected D Ch Sangma as the new chief executive member and formed a fresh executive committee.
Tynsong said he was happy to inform that in the afternoon today the House elected D Ch Sangma as the new chief executive member.
On the council’s Scheduled Tribe certificate directive for candidates, Tynsong said the matter now rests with the new executive committee.
He said the new executive committee would take a call on the issue of Scheduled Tribe certificates and on the participation of both tribal and non tribal candidates in the GHADC elections.
The decision also came days after the government revoked and postponed the GHADC polls scheduled for April 10 with counting on April 14 following unrest in Garo Hills over the issue of non-tribal participation in the polls.
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Tynsong said the six month extension would create space for dialogue.
He said the new executive committee and the new chief executive member would take responsibility while the government would also invite all stakeholders for discussions under the chairmanship of the chief minister and at the level of the GHADC chief executive member. The aim is to carry everyone along and meet the aspirations of the people.
Terming the Cabinet’s decision a landmark move, Tynsong said the government postponed the election due to the law and order situation, which arose from the aspirations of the people who are against non-tribal participation in the GHADC polls.
He added that the decision taken today should make all residents of Garo Hills happy.
Rejecting opposition suggestions that the extension was meant to benefit the ruling National People’s Party, Tynsong said there was no political agenda behind the decision.
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He said the government was not focusing on any political party but wanted to ensure that the aspirations of the people are met.
The government and the new executive committee will consult stakeholders over the next six months on candidate eligibility rules and related amendments.
Tynsong said stakeholders would get the opportunity to raise their concerns before the new executive committee and the chief executive member, and within six months the government would have time to accommodate or make necessary amendments arising from the discussions.