Shillong, March 30: BJP MDC in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Bernard Marak, met Governor C. H. Vijayashankar at Lok Bhavan, Shillong, on Monday evening, raising key issues concerning electoral integrity in the region.
Marak expressed gratitude to the Governor for signing the amendment to the AD Rules, which bars non-Scheduled Tribe individuals from contesting elections to the GHADC.
He also urged the Governor to direct the implementation of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to update the electoral rolls of the Council.
According to Marak, there has been a sharp and unexplained increase in the number of voters in several constituencies in border areas of Garo Hills. He claimed that in some areas, voter numbers have risen from 5,000 to over 10,000–11,000 within five years, raising concerns.
He further alleged the presence of illegal immigrants, including individuals from Bangladesh, and claimed that some individuals possess multiple EPIC cards, posing a threat to indigenous communities.
Marak emphasised the need for immediate action to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in the GHADC.
