Shillong Jan 24: The Meghalaya government will not postpone the elections to the two autonomous district councils even after the Union cabinet has given its approval to amend the Sixth Schedule and Article 280 of the Constitution.

“Elections will be held as fixed on February 27,” Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong told reporters here on Thursday.

The elections will be held to elect new members to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council on February 27 and the state government will issue a notification on February 2.

Counting of votes will take place on March 2.

Tynsong said that the process would take time for implementation of the amendments to the Sixth Schedule since an amendment bill would be tabled in Parliament first.

“We are not sure yet, when will the Centre introduce an amendment bill in Parliament. As the process is long, it is not necessary as of now to postpone the elections to the two councils,” Tynsong said.

He also said that there was no instruction from the Centre in connection with the amendments already approved by the Union cabinet.

However if fresh instruction comes from the Centre, the issue would be discussed, Tynsong said.

On Wednesday, the Union cabinet led by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved amendments to Article 280 and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The most important part of these amendments will significantly improve the financial resources and administrative powers of the ten autonomous district councils of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.

Meghalaya has three councils created under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and each council has 30 members including one nominated member.

 

In view of amendments to the Sixth Schedule, seats in the two councils — Khasi and Garo hills — would go up to 40 from 30 seats, of which four will be nominated members, including two women.

For Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council, the seats should increase from 30 to 34, of which, four are nominated members, including two women.

On allegation made by Process T Sawkmie that the amendments to the Sixth Schedule was approved by the NDA government only to divert people’s attention from the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, Tynsong shot back at Process, saying, “how many times we have had meeting on this issue (amendment to Sixth Schedule). The Union home minister had also held a series of meetings with chief ministers of the four states and the MHA joint secretary (Northeast) had also come to Shillong only for this purpose. His allegation was not at justified.”

Leader of Opposition wants all party meet

Meanwhile leader of Opposition in Meghalaya Assembly, Dr Mukul Sangma demanded that the state government should convene a meeting of all political parties to discuss amendments to the Sixth Schedule.

According to Sangma, the meeting of all political parties should decide whether elections to the two councils should be postponed so that the amendments could be implemented.

The elections to the two Councils would be held on February 27.

“This (amendment) is the culmination of an exhaustive exercise by the then state government of Meghalaya with collective efforts and contributions of members of the civil society, churches and the commitment of the ANVC to restore lasting peace in sync with the aspirations of the people of the state,” Sangma said.

The “agreed text for settlement” was inked in New Delhi on September 24, 2014 between the ANVC and its faction, ANVC-B, the Centre and Meghalaya government. Both the groups were formally disbanded at a public ceremony at Tura in West Garo Hills district on December 15, 2014.

“It is only appropriate to refresh our mind as how long and how meticulously we had to work on to come out with the comprehensive memorandum of settlement leading to the disbanding of the ANVC and ANVC-B,” Sangma said.

He also stated that the Centre was expected to complete the process of amendment and assured the state government then, even requesting the state government to postpone the scheduled election to the GHADC to which the state government complied.

However Sangma said that it was seen that the Union government was moving slow (on the amendment) and on a number of occasions, displeasure about the delay was expressed by the stakeholders and the people.

“I congratulate the people of Meghalaya for their resolve and patience – better be late than never,” Sangma stated.