Shillong, Feb. 20: There is a general disinterest in elections nowadays, but a small group of enthusiastic voters in Jirang constituency always look forward to the polls and enjoy the dubious privilege of being able to cast votes in both Assam and Meghalaya.
The hills surrounding Jirang, on the southern periphery of Guwahati, have witnessed a steady increase in the population of migrants over the years. The first objective of a new settler is to acquire political rights.
“Once you have voting rights, there are no legal means to banish you from the area,” says Indra Sharma, a resident of Nine Mile who migrated from Nepal in the mid-1970s.
Sharma explained that dual franchise was “beneficial” to migrants in more ways than one. “Meghalaya is a tribal state with Christians constituting the majority. They enjoy special privileges and seem to have something against non-tribals. Dual voting rights guarantee us security,” he said.
Officials rarely visit Jirang, which has a 22,000-strong electorate, for surveys or implementation of development schemes. Residents attribute this to the bigger malaise of political apathy.
“Politicians make an appearance only in the run-up to elections. So it is not surprising that people can vote in two states without fearing that they will be caught. Even if the malpractice is detected, offenders can bribe their way out of trouble,” Monica Lyngdoh, general secretary of the Sengkynthei Raid Marwet, said.
Things have come to such a pass that even tribal residents of some villages have acquired dual franchise, though for reasons different from that of migrants.
Most residents of Pilangkata and Maikuli villages under Ri Bhoi district admitted to casting votes during elections on either side of the border. The headman of Pilangkata, Tngenly Khymdiet, did not rule out the possibility of local residents taking advantage of the loopholes in the law.
He blamed Assam for the problem, saying the state had falsely staked claim to some villages belonging to Meghalaya. The Assam revenue department’s claim that the 1876 map does not show Pilangkata and Maikuli to be a part of Meghalaya is disputed.
Similar is the situation in Khanduli and other areas close to the disputed areas of Karbi Anglong. These border villages are under the control of the district council and the Raid Marweit (under the Mylliem Syiemship). Most villagers living in these areas are Khasis and Garos with land-holdings and other documents registered at Nongpoh.