By Our Reporter
Shillong, Jan 11: KHNAM urged the KHADC to amend Rule 128 (1) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules of 1951 which allows non-Khasis to take part in the council elections.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting on Thursday, KHNAM working president, Thomas Passah pointed out that the particular provision defeats the very spirit of the Sixth Scheduled of the Constitution since the non-Khasis are eligible to vote in the district council elections.
“We would not like to see a situation like in the GHADC where a non-Khasi is elected as the MDC,” he said.
Passah said that the party, since 2016 had objected to the provision laid down under section 128 (1) AD Rules which states that a person of Indian origin who is 18 years and above, who has stayed more than 12 years in the district and who has not been convicted can take part in the election to the KHADC.
“We have demanded from the KHADC to amend the particular clause by incorporating ‘A member of the indigenous Tribe of Khasi community’ who can take part in the election to the KHADC,” Passah said.
He claimed that the KHADC CEM had assured to take up the issue with the executive committee and with Deputy Chief Minister in-charge District Council Affairs, Prestone Tynsong to incorporate the amendment clause of Section 128 (1) AD Rules.