Tura, March 16: MDC from 21–Naguapra, Dhormonath Ch. Sangma, was on Monday elected as the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), following the postponement of the GHADC polls scheduled for April 10.
The election to the council has been postponed in view of the prevailing law and order situation in Garo Hills.
The notification issued by former CEM Albinus Marak making an ST certificate mandatory for filing nominations was challenged in the High Court, which subsequently quashed the order. Thereafter, several groups in the region staged protests.
In response, the government decided to postpone the election and pave the way for completing due process on the demands made by the people.
MDCs from both the ruling and opposition sides came together with a shared agenda in the interest of the people.
Amid the political developments, 21 MDCs of the GHADC came together and met the Governor of Meghalaya, G. H. Vijayashankar, in Shillong on Saturday evening seeking a No Confidence Motion (NCM) against then CEM Albinus R. Marak. Following the meeting, the Council Affairs Department issued a notification for moving a NCM against Marak.
However, hours before the motion could be formally taken up in the council today, Albinus Marak resigned from the post of CEM, paving the way for the formation of a new Executive Committee.
Subsequently, Dhormonath Ch. Sangma was elected as the new Chief Executive Member with the support of 21 MDCs.

The new Executive Committee comprises:
1. Dhormonath Ch Sangma – CEM
2. Sanjay Koch
3. Stevie M Marak
4. Linekar K Sangma
5. Grahambell A Sangma
6. Anseng A Sangma
7. Henen R Sangma
8. Ashahel D Shira
9. Rakesh A Sangma
10. Promod Koch
11. Arbinstone B Marak
12. Sengchim N Sangma
13. Sengbath R Marak
14. Nehru D Sangma
15. Crozier G Momin
16. Aldo A Sangma
17. Cherack W Momin
18. Rinaldo K Sangma
19. Perdinand D Shira
20. Alphonsius R Marak
21. Agasi R Marak
The total strength of the GHADC is 30 members, including one nominated member. However, the recent demise of MDC from Samanda, Lahitson M. Sangma, has reduced the effective strength of the House to 29.
With the formation of the new Executive Committee, it is expected that the council administration will now focus on restoring normalcy in the region and addressing the concerns that led to the recent unrest.

