Govt to amend Municipal Act to hold polls

SHILLONG: The State Government will amend the provisions of the Meghalaya Municipal Act, 1973, to enable the Government to hold polls in ‘normal areas’.
Recently, the High Court asked the government to take necessary steps to hold civic polls after modifying the Act and examining the 74th Amendment to the Constitution that exempted tribal areas from the purview of polls.
“We will amend the Act after examining the relevant rules to enable the government to hold polls at European Ward, Jail Road and Police Bazar, among others,” Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie Lyngdoh said.
Allaying apprehensions, Lyngdoh said holding municipal polls will no way take away the powers of traditional institutions.