The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has decided to make it mandatory for all candidates contesting the district council’s elections to produce a valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate.
The certificate will serve as primary proof of tribal status during scrutiny ahead of the upcoming elections.
The resolution, adopted by the GHADC Executive Committee on February 9 and notified on February 17, requires candidates in any general or by-election to submit an ST certificate issued by the Meghalaya government while filing their nomination papers for the elections.
Notably, the council has directed Returning Officers to treat the failure to produce the document as a “defect of substantial character”, rendering the nomination liable for rejection.
The GHADC order takes effect immediately and applies to all future elections under the council.
Meanwhile, the A.chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) has welcomed GHADC’s decision stating that the move would strengthen tribal self-governance and safeguard the indigenous identity and customary laws of the Garo Hills under the Sixth Schedule.
Stating that the reform was imperative for maintaining democratic integrity and protecting tribal identity, the organisation requested the District Council Affairs department to publish the notification in the Meghalaya Gazette for legal enforcement.
