By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 18: State BJP Meghalaya Pradesh has called on the Chief Electoral Officer, BDR Tiwari, to accept traditional residency and identity certificates issued by local tribal institutions during the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
BJP state president Rikman G. Momin emphasised the importance of safeguarding the constitutional and statutory rights of tribal citizens in the state.
He suggested that certificates issued by traditional authorities, such as Dorbar Shnong, Syiem, Rangbah Shnong, Nokma, Mahari, should be accepted as valid proof of identity and residence.
In cases where formal documentation is unavailable, Electoral Registration Officers should be allowed to accept statements from village headmen or elders as sufficient verification.
Momin also suggested that documents such as clan or Kur recognition certificates, or those issued by traditional leaders like the Doloi, Lyngdoh, Pator, Wahadadar, Nokma, Mahari, or even a Kni (maternal uncle) of the family, be accepted as valid proof for voter enrolment.
The BJP also proposed the deployment of mobile facilitation teams to remote tribal villages for on-the-spot enrolment and document verification.
