Meghalaya clears separate ST-only electoral roll in Sixth Schedule reform

On Monday, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Meghalaya approved amendments to Rules 128 and 129, paving the way for a distinct electoral roll exclusively for council elections. This marks a significant alteration in the electoral system of the Sixth Schedule body since its inception in 1952. The reform eliminates the Council’s decades-long reliance on the electoral roll prepared for assembly elections, introducing a dedicated mechanism for defining who can vote in GHADC polls.

Crucially, the amended provisions tie voter eligibility to Scheduled Tribe (ST) status recognized for Meghalaya, coupled with other specified qualifications, thereby barring non-ST individuals from the GHADC electoral roll. This development fulfills a longstanding demand in the Garo Hills and follows the GHADC's recent decision to make an ST certificate compulsory for candidates participating in GHADC elections, which was subsequently endorsed by the governor.

The latest decision also appears to fulfill a key electoral commitment of Chief Minister and National People's Party leader Conrad K Sangma, who has championed the cause of a separate electoral framework for the Sixth Schedule institution. Advocates argue that a council primarily tasked with safeguarding tribal interests should have an electoral system that mirrors that constitutional duty.

"The separate electoral roll will ensure that the electoral process of the District Council reflects its purpose as a Sixth Schedule institution and strengthens tribal self-governance," remarked a supporter of the amendment. This shift, however, represents a fundamental departure from the electoral system that prevailed since the establishment of the GHADC.

For many years, council elections were carried out using the electoral roll prepared for assembly elections, permitting members of diverse communities to engage in the electoral process. The amendments now shift the focus from merely maintaining a separate voter list to determining who forms the electorate of the autonomous council.

This move comes after months of heated debate over electoral eligibility that escalated into protests and violence in the Garo Hills, ultimately leading to the postponement of the GHADC elections. The controversy also prompted legal action, as an earlier executive notification mandating ST certification for candidates was dismissed by the Meghalaya high court for not adhering to the prescribed legislative process.

Monday's amendments were passed by the House, with Tura MDC Rimpu Marak notably absent when the provisions were adopted. With the amendments in place, the subsequent step will involve the creation of a dedicated GHADC electoral roll based on the revised eligibility criteria. Consequently, this reform could have ramifications extending beyond the upcoming council election.

By segregating the GHADC electorate from the broader assembly electoral roll and tying voting eligibility to ST status, the Council has undertaken a significant step toward defining who has the right to elect representatives of a Sixth Schedule institution and, ultimately, who participates in its system of autonomous tribal governance.