SHILLONG, FEB 13: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has urged Chief Electoral Officer Dr BDR Tiwari to undertake a thorough review of the electoral rolls in Meghalaya, expressing concern over the alleged inclusion of unauthorized foreigners in the voter lists.
In a letter submitted on Friday, HITO president Donbok Dkhar referred to a 1985 petition filed by late Prof. M.N. Majaw and called for the application of principles laid down in the 1985 Memorandum of Settlement Accord to address the issue.
Submitting a set of recommendations to the CEO, HITO emphasized the need to adopt stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of the state’s electoral process.
Among its key suggestions, the organization proposed limiting the types of documents accepted for voter enrolment and excluding Aadhaar cards as sole proof of identity.
“This system may inadvertently facilitate misuse, allowing individuals without legitimate residency status to obtain electoral enrolment,” Dkhar warned.
HITO also advocated recognizing locally issued documents such as certificates from village Dorbars, Syiem, Nokma, and clan authorities as valid proof of identity and residency.
“These documents provide robust verification of an individual’s deep-rooted connection to the community,” the organization stated.
Furthermore, HITO urged the implementation of a cut-off year in line with the 1985 Memorandum of Settlement Accord to safeguard the state’s indigenous population and cultural heritage.
“We advocate for establishing the principles of the Accord to protect and preserve the rich cultural heritage, unique languages, distinct customs, and traditional ways of life of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo peoples,” Dkhar said, adding, “We sincerely hope that our suggestions will serve as constructive contributions to bolstering the integrity of the electoral process in our state.”
Highlighting Meghalaya’s geographical location, HITO noted that the state shares a 443-km international border with Bangladesh, which it said heightens the potential risk of unauthorized foreign nationals enrolling in electoral rolls.
The organization also raised concerns over the alleged ease of obtaining Aadhaar cards, citing reports from news outlets that point to possible misuse.
“The establishment of Meghalaya in 1972 was not merely a political act; it was a significant milestone aimed at safeguarding our indigenous identity and ensuring that our unique cultural tapestry endures through generations,” HITO stated while reiterating the importance of protecting indigenous identity.
