Tura: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district has announced restrictions around the Deputy Commissioner’s Office complex in Tura to ensure smooth filling of nomination papers for the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
According to an official notification issued by the DC, the District Council Affairs Department of the Meghalaya government informed the district administration about the election schedule through letters dated March 5 and March 6, 2026.
“The schedule of General Election to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), 2026 with last date of filing of nomination papers on the 16th March, 2026, date of poll on the 10th April, 2026 and counting of votes on the 14th April, 2026,” the notification stated.
The administration further informed that the nomination process will begin on March 9 following the issuance of the election notification.
“The filing of nomination shall start immediately with the date of notification for calling the constituencies to elect their representatives under Rule 124(2) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 which is fixed for 9th March, 2026,” the order read.
All nomination papers will be filed, received and scrutinised in the office of the respective Returning Officer/ Assistant Returning Officers within the office premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Tura.
To maintain order during the nomination period, the district administration has placed restrictions on vehicle movement and gatherings near the DC office complex.
The order read, “Whereas, it is imperative for the undersigned to ensure smooth filing of nomination papers by all aspirant candidates whether put up by political parties or otherwise, therefore only one vehicle per candidate shall be allowed to enter within 100 metre periphery of the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex during the entire period of filing of nomination w.e.f. 9th March, 2026 to 16th March, 2026.”
“Whereas, only four persons shall be allowed to enter the Returning Officer’s room while filing nomination which shall include the candidate and one proposer, one seconder and a legal counsel,” added the notification.
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The administration has also prohibited gatherings in the area during the nomination period. Officials added that executive magistrates and police officers have been authorised to disperse any such unlawful assembly within the specified jurisdiction during the nomination period.
The restrictions will remain in force from March 9 until March 16, covering the entire nomination filing period for the GHADC elections.
“Whereas, no person shall be allowed to gather within the 100 meter periphery of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office complex and any unauthorised gathering of five person or more than five shall be considered unlawful assembly under the provision of section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Executive Magistrate or a Police Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector shall have the authority to dispose such unlawful assembly from within the specified jurisdiction during those specified period,” the order added.
