Meghalaya Lowers Voting Age, Shortens Nomination Window for GHADC Elections

Shillong: As the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections approach, the Meghalaya government amended certain rules and reduced the minimum voting age from 21 to 18.

The government has also slashed the nomination filing period from three weeks to just one week.

As per sources, the revisions were made to the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951, which may now align the GHADC's election procedures more closely with standard national electoral practices in India.

The revision has now shortened the nomination timeline, which will be limited to seven days, and is expected to make the process more efficient. However, it may potentially reduce opportunities for late entrants to join the contest.

Additionally, the requirement for nomination support has been relaxed, and candidates now need only one proposer. Earlier, there was mandate of two proposers.

The government further eliminated the alphabetical ordering of candidates on the ballot paper.

The new format adheres to guidelines from the Election Commission of India under the Representation of the People Act and the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. Recognised national and state parties will appear first, followed by registered unrecognised parties, with independent candidates listed last.

The GHADC, one of three autonomous district councils in Meghalaya, established under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, provides self-governance to tribal communities in the Garo Hills region. Harmonising its election rules with broader national standards has been a longstanding administrative priority.

These changes come ahead of the GHADC's upcoming general elections, scheduled for April 10, 2026, with vote counting on April 14. The gazette notification is set for March 9, nominations close on March 16, and symbol allotment will be finalised by March 18.

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