Shillong, may 07: An interaction between Ms C Guenauer, Research Scholar from Germany, and the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya (comprising the Federation of Khasi States, Sirdarship, Council of Dolloi, and Council of Nokma) on 6th May 2014, in Shillong.
The meeting was attended by Khasi Chiefs (Syiem, Sirdar, Lyngdoh, Myntri, Sordar and Rangbah Shnong).
During the interaction the Khasi Chiefs, Clan Elders, Village Elders stated that they had no role in the Indian Elections and were mere spectators to the Indian electoral process, as they are Party Less political institutions and further more there was a KHADC Act which debarred them from taking part in Elections.
They stated that their role was limited to issuing No objection certificates to the political parties, candidates, for holding elections within their jurisdiction and assited the Election Commission or the Election Officer in connection smooth conduct of the elections, Law & Order, including setting up polling booths and also accomodation for polling officials.
They also stated that while they were Party Less institutions and were wrongly barred by the KHADC Act of 1959 to take part in party politics ironically all political parties appealed to the Chiefs to support their candidates, they informed that some of the Political Parties highlight the National issues of the Chiefs in their respective Manifesto. They informed that a large number of their citizens would individually come to seek advise from the Chiefs on the reliability of the promises of the political parties.
On the question of change in last 50 years the Chiefs stated that not much has changed in the traditional political system but they faced a lot of unnecessary pressure from the various political leaders and parties who try to influence them to support them. They stated that the people were free to join and associate any political party but were always sensitive about their their traditional and customary rights over land, forest, water, mineral rights, manorial, legislative, executive and judicial rights.
They admitted that the present Indian political system is now determined mostly by money, and stated that well intended people were not able to participate in the present context if they did not fall in the high income bracket.
They expressed discontenment as to the Laws being legislated without a referrendum as per the traditional process.
Ms Guenauer, Research Scholar is presently undertaking research on Indian style of Campaign. Earlier Ms C Guenauer, witnessed and attended some of the regional and National political parties campaign in Meghalaya and stated that her initial observation was that it appears that in Meghalaya the campaign was more candidate centric whilst in Germany it was more party centric, the issues in Germany would be about the Health Insurance, Taxes, and other issues.
She was also surprised to witnessed that meetings were conducted mostly in market places and was impressed to see that large number of people would stand for long hours to listen patiently to the political campaigns.
She also stated that in Germany which is a Christian State would have only one day voting and it would be mostly held on a Sunday were people would vote after attending the Church service.
She also stated that a voter in Germany is entitled to two votes, that is one vote for the Candidate and another vote was for the Party.
Those who attended and participated in the interaction were Paiem P.M. Syiemlieh, Syiem of Nongkhlaw Syiemship, Paiem K.M. Syiemlieh, Deputy Syiem, Nongkhlaw Syiemship, Bah H Skhemlon, Sirdar of Hima Mawdon, Bah H L Ryntathiang, Lyngdoh of Hima Lyngiong, Bah J Khyriemmujat, Rangbah Shnong, Nongmadan Smit, Bah M.H Thabah, Former Acting Chief of Hima Myriaw and others.(SP News)
