Shillong, January 13: The Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) on Monday renewed its demand for amendments to the electoral rules governing the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), asserting that the existing provisions continue to allow non-Khasis to vote in district council elections.
KHNAM Working President Thomas Passah met Deity H. Majaw, Executive Member in charge of the Law Department, and urged the council to amend Paragraphs 128(1) and 128(3) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Passah said the current rules define voter eligibility in a manner that permits non-tribals to vote if they are categorised as “permanent residents” of the autonomous district. He warned that such provisions pose long-term risks to the integrity of the district council and to the protection of indigenous Khasi rights.
According to Passah, Paragraph 128(1)(d) should be removed entirely and replaced with a clear clause stating that only Khasi people are eligible to vote in KHADC elections. He also called for the deletion of Paragraph 128(3), which lays down residency-based criteria for voter eligibility.
Passah stated that KHNAM has been raising the issue since 2014, but alleged that successive executive committees of the KHADC had failed to take concrete action. He urged the present council leadership to act decisively and strengthen legal safeguards to prevent future complications and ensure the protection of the institution and indigenous interests.
The KHADC leadership has yet to issue an official response to the renewed demand.
