A division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, however, made it clear that the petitioner is free to approach the court again if the elections are not held within a reasonable time. The court also clarified that it had not examined the petitioner's locus standi and kept all contentions of the parties open on merits.
The petition was filed by Nilberth Ch. Marak, who had sought a direction to the authorities to conduct the GHADC general election or impose administrative rules in the Council.
The state government informed the court that the election had been postponed in view of the law-and-order situation.
A government notification dated March 11, 2026, postponed the general election until further orders.
On March 18, 2026, the Governor, being satisfied that circumstances existed rendering the holding of elections impracticable, extended the term of the existing Council and its members by six months - from April 19 to October 18, 2026 - under the proviso to sub-paragraph (6A) of paragraph 2 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, read with the relevant District Council rules.
Meanwhile, on April 6, 2026, the GHADC reconstituted a committee to analyse demographic trends and population distribution and recommend fair and equitable constituency boundaries on the basis of the latest census and demographic data. The committee was also tasked with preparing a draft delimitation proposal and conducting public consultations.
The committee is required to submit its recommendations within six months of its notification, though the GHADC Executive Committee may extend the period.
The PIL was accordingly disposed of.
The polls, originally slated for April 10, were deferred after violence broke out in West Garo Hills during the nomination process in March.
Two persons were killed in police firing amid clashes over the participation of non-tribal candidates, after a GHADC notification sought to make Scheduled Tribe certificates mandatory for contesting the elections. The High Court later quashed that notification.
Curfew and internet restrictions followed in parts of the Garo Hills before the state government put the election on hold, citing the prevailing law-and-order situation.