SHILLONG, MAR 16: The Meghalaya government has announced its decision to extend the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council’s current term by six months following violent protests against non-tribal participation in the electioneering process.
The decision was approved by the state Cabinet virtually chaired by the chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday.
Addressing media persons after the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home & District Council Affairs Prestone Tynsong said the cabinet met with a single‑agenda focus “relating to extension of the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.”
“After detailed deliberation and discussion, the cabinet has decided to extend the term of the current House for a period of six months with effect from April 18 to October 18, 2026,” he said.
The decision came hours after Albinush R. Marak resigned as chief executive member (CEM) amid a no‑confidence push by 21 members of district council.
By afternoon, the House elected D Ch Sangma as the new CEM and formed a fresh executive committee.
“I am also happy to inform all of you that again in the afternoon today the House has elected new CEM D. Ch. Sangma,” Tynsong said.
Asked about the council’s Scheduled‑Tribe certificate directive for candidates, Tynsong said the matter now rests with the new executive.
“Now we leave it to the wisdom of the new executive committee to take a call on the issue of scheduled tribe or on the issue of contesting elections both by tribal and non‑tribal as far as GHADC is concerned.”
The decision also come days after the government has revoked and postponed the GHADC polls scheduled on April 10 with counting on April 14, following unrest in Garo Hills over the issue of non-tribal poll participation.
Tynsong argued the six‑month extension would create space for dialogue.
“We are open. Because see the new executive committee and the new CEM has to take the responsibility side by side even the government will also take the responsibility of calling or inviting for discussion across the table…under the chairmanship of the chief minister as well as in the level of the GHADC CEM because we would like to ultimately carry along everybody and to meet the aspiration of our people,” he said.
Terming the cabinet’s decision as a landmark decision, Tynsong said, “The decision taken by the cabinet it is a landmark decision we have taken today…Why government has postponed the election it is because of the law and order. Why law and order comes in it is because of the aspiration of the people. They are against the non‑tribal participation in the GHADC polls.”
“Therefore, the decision taken today I think all residents of Garo Hills should be happy,” he added.
Rejecting opposition suggestions that the extension buys time for the ruling National People’s Party, he insisted politics was not the motive.
“I think right now we don’t talk about NPP or any other political parties…there is no such political agenda especially from the NPP and ruling side, we don’t have any political agenda but we would like to make sure that the aspiration of the people is met at any cost,” he said.
The government and the new executive committee will consult stakeholders over the next six months on candidate‑eligibility rules and related amendments.
“With the new EC and new CEM, they (stakeholders) will get the opportunity of flagging off all these concerns and within six months time, we have time to ultimately accomodate or to do necessary amendments whatever arises,” Tynsong stated further.
By Our Reporter
