"The protection can be ensured by inserting a proviso in line with the provision of the sixth schedule of the Constitution and the UN Declaration for the Khasi tribals in the state,"E K Raswai, HSPDP General Secretary said in a letter to the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.
"Proviso for special category states and those covered under the sixth schedule is not provided to protect their political rights when the indigenous peoples of Meghalaya are microscopic in population by making a general rule with regard to enrolment of voters in the state of Meghalaya," he said.
The HSPDP demand followed an order of the Election Commission for a rigorous enrolment of eligible voters in Meghalaya which has led to stiff opposition from influential NGOs over the inclusion of "dubious" voters in the electoral roll.
Admitting that the party is not against bonafide citizens exercising their franchise, Raswai said, "the mechanism to check double or dual enrolment apparently appears to be weak.