From Our Correspondent
TURA, Feb 9: The AHAM Central Executive Board (CEB) in Tura has demanded the immediate preparation of a separate electoral roll for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), seeking to bar non-tribal voters and candidates from participating in the upcoming elections.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday, the organisation argued that the inclusion of non-tribals violates the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They cited Articles 244(2) and 275(1), stating these provisions were intended to ensure the exclusive political self-governance of tribal communities.
AHAM CEB president Georgeprince Momin stated that the framers of the Constitution envisioned these councils as representative institutions for tribes, protected from demographic and electoral interference by non-tribal populations. He added that any arrangement allowing non-tribals to vote or contest defeats the constitutional objective of preserving tribal autonomy and governance.
The group further contended that non-tribal participation dilutes the political voice of Scheduled Tribes and violates the doctrine of protective discrimination.
As part of their demands, the organisation insisted that non-tribal representation, if necessary, should be limited to nomination only, in line with Sixth Schedule principles. They also called for the enforcement of these changes before the forthcoming GHADC elections are conducted.
The organisation warned that failure to implement these measures would leave the indigenous people of Garo Hills with no choice but to pursue legal, democratic, and mass-based actions to defend their rights.
