Tura, March 8: The process for the 2026 elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has formally begun with the issuance of an official notification by the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Election), West Garo Hills.

According to the notification issued by District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal, the filing of nomination papers will commence on March 9 and continue until March 16.

The election to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council will be held on April 10, while the counting of votes is scheduled for April 14, 2026.

Nomination papers will be filed, received and scrutinised in the offices of the respective Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers located within the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Tura.

To ensure smooth filing of nominations, the district administration has imposed certain restrictions within the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex. Only one vehicle per candidate will be allowed within a 100-metre radius of the complex during the nomination period from March 9 to March 16.

Additionally, only four persons — the candidate, one proposer, one seconder and a legal counsel — will be permitted inside the Returning Officer’s room at the time of filing nominations.

The order further states that gathering of five or more persons within the 100-metre periphery of the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex will be treated as an unlawful assembly under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Authorities, including Executive Magistrates and police officers not below the rank of Sub-Inspector, have been empowered to disperse any such unlawful gatherings.

The notification has been circulated to the District Council Affairs Department, the Superintendent of Police, returning officers and political party representatives for necessary compliance.