Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Mara Council Bars Dual Membership After Supreme Court Order
The Mara council is an elected local body in Mizoram.
Its members will no longer be allowed to also serve as MLAs or MPs.
The council changed its rules after an order from the Supreme Court.
The change was approved unanimously at an emergency meeting.
Earlier, the Gauhati High Court had allowed the councils’ rules that removed the restriction.
The Supreme Court later disagreed with that position.
It said Mizoram’s three autonomous councils should follow the same rule about holding two positions.
The Chakma council has already made a similar change, while the Lai council already had the restriction.
The Mara Autonomous District Council amended Rule 11 to prohibit members from simultaneously serving as MLAs or MPs.
The amendment was unanimously approved during an emergency session of the council.
The move follows a July 20 Supreme Court judgment concerning dual membership in Mizoram’s autonomous district councils.
The Supreme Court directed the Chakma and Mara councils to restore the restriction within three months.
The Chakma Autonomous District Council passed a similar amendment in August, while the Lai council already retained the restriction.
- Who
- The Mara Autonomous District Council, its members, the Supreme Court, and other Mizoram autonomous district councils.
- What
- The Mara council amended Rule 11 to bar its members from simultaneously holding seats in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly or Parliament.
- When
- The amendment was approved on Tuesday, September 15; the Supreme Court judgment referenced in the report was issued on July 20.
- Where
- The decision was made in Aizawl, Mizoram.
- Why
- The amendment followed the Supreme Court’s direction to restore the restriction on dual membership in the Mara and Chakma councils.
- Rule amended
- Rule 11 of the Mara Autonomous District Council’s rules
- New restriction
- Council members cannot simultaneously serve as MLAs or MPs
- Approval
- Unanimously approved during an emergency session
- Supreme Court judgment
- Issued on July 20
- Implementation period
- The Chakma and Mara councils were directed to restore the restriction within three months
- Related council action
- The Chakma Autonomous District Council passed a similar amendment in August
- Existing restriction
- The Lai Autonomous District Council retained its bar on dual membership