Shillong, Sept. 25: The early holding of municipal elections in Shillong, pending for the past 41 years, is uncertain with the traditional institutions opposing it on the ground that the latter’s powers will be eroded once the elected civic body is put in place.

The Dorbar Shnong (traditional institution) of Jaiaw Langsning has recently opposed the holding of the municipal polls.

Earlier, the banned HNLC had also said an elected municipal board was not necessary as the headmen and other traditional heads were well qualified to do their job.

Urban affairs minister Paul Lyngdoh had set a December deadline for holding the election to the Shillong Municipal Board. Lyngdoh, who represents Jaiaw constituency, has come under attack from the Dorbar Shnong of Jaiaw Langsning. According to the Dorbar Shnong, the minister’s decision to hold the municipal election would marginalise the local traditional institutions.

The minister had earlier said the municipal election was necessary to implement the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in Shillong. H.P. Offlyn Dohling, general secretary of Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (headmen’s association) said the election could be held only if there was a consensus. He said several organisations and individuals had expressed varied views on the matter.

“We cannot bypass the views of the people and the election, if held, should be peaceful,” Dohling said. He said the working group is yet to submit the final recommendations to the state government regarding holding of the civic poll. The working committee is contemplating having a representation of headmen and others in the Shillong Municipal Board after amending the municipal act.

According to the Dorbar Shnong of Jaiaw Langsning, the existing system of Dorbar Shnong in Khasi Hills is exercising the powers of self-government traditionally.

In the past, the Lympung ki Hynriew Shnong, a group of six under the Dorbar Shnong comprising Mawkhar, Riatsamthiah, Wahingdoh, Umsohsun, Mission Compound and Wahthapbru had opposed the initiative of the Meghalaya government to hold the municipal election. They wanted the state government to define the role of Dorbar Shnong before finally giving the nod to hold the poll. They also questioned the logic behind linking the implementation of the urban mission scheme with the formation of an elected civic body.