Shillong, Sept 10, 2025: Concerns over the integrity of Meghalaya’s electoral rolls dominated proceedings in the Assembly on Wednesday, with Opposition members pressing for stricter verification of voters’ enrolment.

During the discussion on Demand No. 3, Head of Account on the 2015 elections, Ampati MLA Miani D. Shira moved a Cut Motion on election matters, which was strongly backed by Nongkrem MLA and VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit.

Ardent expressed apprehension over non-residents securing enrolment in constituencies where they do not reside, warning that such practices undermine the credibility of the state’s voter list. He urged the government and election authorities to work closely with traditional institutions such as Dorbar Shnong and village committees to verify citizenship and genuine residency before approving applications.

The VPP leader further cautioned that many villagers could be excluded due to the absence of formal documents like birth certificates, stressing the need for a balanced approach to prevent harassment of genuine citizens. He also flagged concerns over infiltration, alleging that some outsiders not only managed to get registered as voters but also acquired land in parts of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills within a short span of time.

Supporting the motion, former Chief Minister and Songsak MLA Dr. Mukul Sangma said the electoral system must protect the rights and sense of belonging of genuine citizens. He warned that short-term residents and vested interests could distort democratic outcomes if enrolment processes were left unchecked.

Both legislators called for a strict and fair Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls, ensuring that only eligible citizens are included while preventing infiltrators and non-residents from exploiting loopholes in the system.