SHILLONG, March 6 — The Meghalaya High Court on March 6 admitted a public interest litigation challenging the participation of non-tribal candidates in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections. The petition was filed by Niksrang Ch Marak and represented by lawyer P.T. Sangma. A bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh heard the matter and listed it for further hearing on March 9, 2026.
During the March 6 hearing (Friday), counsel appearing for the respondents asked for time to obtain instructions. Following that request, the court granted the adjournment and set the next hearing date for March 9, 2026.
The petition targets a GHADC notification issued on February 17, 2026, which bars non-tribal persons from contesting the council elections and makes possession of a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate mandatory for all candidates. The notification applies to the GHADC polls scheduled for April 10, 2026, and has sparked a sharp dispute in the state.
Garo tribal organisations have defended the February 17 directive as valid, while non-tribal leaders have denounced it as unconstitutional and an attempt to deprive them of electoral rights. The legal challenge will determine candidate eligibility and could have decisive implications for the April 10 GHADC elections.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/03/07/hc-admits-pil-against-non-tribal-participation-in-ghadc-polls/
Category: MEGHALAYA
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-03-07 03:14:00
