UDP throws weight behind GHADC’s mandatory ST certificate move
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 10: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has urged the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to amend Rule 128 (1) and (2) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951, which currently allows non-Khasis to take part in district council elections.
KHNAM working president Thomas Passah on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh, seeking an amendment to the rule to restrict participation in KHADC elections solely to members of the indigenous Khasi community.
Speaking to reporters, Passah said the existing provision defeats the spirit of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, as it permits non-Khasis to vote and contest in the district council elections.
“We would not like to see a current situation like in Garo Hills where there are reports that two persons had died amid tensions related to alleged attempts by non-Garo individuals to participate in the affairs of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC),” he said, adding that such developments highlight the need to strengthen the legal framework governing the district councils to ensure indigenous communities retain control over their institutions.
According to him, Rule 128 (1) and (2) of the AD Rules state that any person of Indian origin aged 18 years and above who has resided in the district for more than 12 years and has not been convicted of any offence is eligible to participate in the elections to the KHADC.
Passah noted the party has opposed this provision since 2016 and has demanded the clause be amended to specify that only “a member of the indigenous tribe of the Khasi community” should be allowed to participate in KHADC elections.
He informed that KHNAM has written to the KHADC executive committee on multiple occasions regarding the issue, including letters submitted in April 2025, January 2026, and again on March 10 this year.
“This is the third time we have approached the Executive Committee of the KHADC with the demand to amend Rule 128 of the AD Rules,” Passah said.
He added that the party has also attached a draft amendment to the memorandum submitted to the KHADC to facilitate faster action by the executive committee.
“We have prepared a draft amendment so that the EC can initiate the process quickly. Even after the KHADC passes the amendment, it will still require the assent of the Governor, which will take time,” he said.
Passah mentioned the party hopes the VPP-led executive committee in the KHADC will recognise the urgency of the matter and initiate steps to amend the rule.
He also informed that KHNAM could not meet the CEM in person and instead submitted the memorandum to the CEM’s office. The party stated it would continue to follow up with the council to know the status of its demand.
UDP backs GHADC move
Meanwhile, the United Democratic Party (UDP) expressed its support on Tuesday for the notification issued by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), which makes it mandatory for all candidates contesting the council elections to produce a valid ST certificate.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said the party endorses the move by the GHADC, particularly in view of the recent debate in the Garo Hills over whether non-tribals should be allowed to participate in the MDC elections.
Chyne noted that the requirement for an ST certificate is not unusual, pointing out that candidates contesting reserved Assembly seats are also required to submit the same document.
“The ST certificate is mandatory for candidates contesting Assembly constituencies that are reserved for Scheduled Tribes,” he said, adding that the same principle should apply to elections for the district council.
He stated that the district council is an institution created under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, specifically to safeguard the rights and interests of tribal communities and to protect them from the influx of non-tribal populations.
“In an institution where tribals are meant to deliberate and work for the interests of the tribal community, it is difficult to justify the participation of non-tribals when the council itself is meant for the indigenous people,” Chyne said.
He further pointed out that the district councils are responsible for implementing several regulations meant to safeguard tribal interests, including laws such as the Trading by Non-Tribals Regulation, 1954, which governs trading activities by non-tribals in tribal areas.
Under the regulation, Chyne said, restrictions are imposed and trading licences are issued to non-tribals only under regulated conditions, with the district council playing a key role in its implementation.
The UDP general secretary observed that the primary objective of introducing the Sixth Schedule in the state was to ensure protection and governance for the tribal population.
“The District Council is an institution meant to serve the tribal community and it should function through tribals for the benefit of tribals,” he added.
