SHILLONG: Even after the signing of the proposed peace pact with the ANVC, its cadres would be able to contest elections in only 29 seats of GHADC since the Parliament has to further amend the Constitution to increase the strength of the House to 40.
An official of the Political Affairs department on Wednesday said that though the intention of the Government is to increase the strength of the GHADC to 40, the matter will have to be approved by the Parliament after an amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
It is worth mentioning that while suggesting the increase of seats from 29 to 40, the ANVC had demanded that its cadres be allowed to contest the GHADC elections.
Even if the Centre approves the agreed text of settlement and signs the peace pact, the matter does not end there as the increase of seats needs to be approved by the Parliament, the official admitted.
The official is hopeful that the Centre will finalise the pact before the Lok Sabha polls, but added that he is not sure whether the Parliament will have enough time at its disposal to move the amendment to the Constitution for the increase of seats in GHADC, since the elections are round the corner.
Even if the Parliament takes time to amend the Constitution, approval of the final peace pact by the Centre will allow the ANVC cadres to contest from 29 seats of the GHADC.
