By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 27: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has decided to opt out of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) polls and accord priority to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) elections.
KHNAM working president Thomas Passah explained that the party chose to focus its efforts on the KHADC elections, despite having a few ticket aspirants for the JHADC polls.
He revealed that KHNAM has received applications for party tickets from about 20 constituencies in the KHADC area.
The Central Executive Committee (CEC) is expected to meet soon to finalise and announce the first list of candidates. In constituencies with confirmed candidates, the party has urged them to start preparing for the elections.
Passah himself has confirmed his candidacy for the Jaiaw constituency in the upcoming KHADC polls. This marks a renewed focus for KHNAM, which had refrained from fielding candidates in the 2023 Assembly elections.
Highlighting key issues in KHNAM’s manifesto, Passah underscored the need for the effective implementation of the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation, 1954, under KHADC to protect indigenous interests.
He said it was imperative to strengthen the regulation before to prevent its effectiveness from diminishing.
Another major agenda point is amending the Scheduled Tribes Order, 1950.
Passah noted that loopholes in the order have allowed non-eligible groups to misuse Scheduled Tribe benefits in Meghalaya.
Passah also emphasised the party’s stance on amending the AD Rule, specifically Section 128, to ensure that only indigenous tribals are permitted to vote in Tribal District Council elections.