Shillong: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is preparing legislation to regulate polygamy within the Khasi community, KHADC Executive Member in charge of social affairs, Deity H Majaw, has said.
Speaking at a discussion on the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, 2012, organised by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women on Tuesday, Majaw said the absence of effective provisions to regulate marriage practices had had a significant impact on society.
She said the KHADC is now working on a law to codify marriage-related practices, including making it mandatory for traditional heads of villages to register all marriages and ensuring accountability in the process.
According to Majaw, the proposed legislation is currently under detailed examination by the Council. Consultations are also being held with experts, legal practitioners and judges to ensure that the proposed law is in line with Khasi customary practices governing marriage.
She said the KHADC plans to introduce the legislation in the coming days to regulate the practice of having multiple spouses.
Majaw also said the Meghalaya government’s marriage registration law has not been effectively implemented, with many people, particularly in rural areas, remaining unaware of its provisions.
