Shillong, March 8: In another development in the controversy over eligibility to vote and contest the upcoming GHADC elections, BJP MDC Bernard Marak has asserted that people from Garo Hills plain belt area cannot be considered “permanent residents” due to the nature of their land ownership.
In a letter to Governor CH Vijayashankar, the Tura MDC called for upholding the definition of “permanent resident” under District Council Rules.
He warned “temporary leaseholders” could misinterpret eligibility for voting and candidacy in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections scheduled for April 10.
According to the MDC, the Council rules defined permanent residency as 12 continuous years of fixed habitation with family, excluding stays linked to service or profession, and backed by GHADC-certified Nokma.
However, he said, the residents from plain‑area settlers holding 10‑year periodic pattas “are temporary settlements, subject to cancellation by the Chief Executive Member… and therefore cannot constitute permanent land documents.”
Marak argued that only permanent residents qualify to vote or contest, and that GHADC’s move to require Scheduled Tribe certificates for nominations is consistent with the Rules and cannot be challenged by temporary leaseholders.
“In light of these provisions, it is evident that: holders of periodic lease pattas are temporary residents. They cannot claim entitlement to vote or contest elections under the definition of permanent residency,” the MDC said while backing the GHADC notification making Scheduled Tribe certificate compulsory for filing nomination.
He urged the Governor to uphold the constitutional safeguards of the Sixth Schedule” so that rights of Scheduled Tribes in Garo Hills “are not diluted by misinterpretation.
“This will safeguard the indigenous people against demands for equal rights by temporary settlers who do not meet the constitutional definition of permanent residents,” Marak stated.
