ECI yet to issue SOP on Ponda bypoll ballots

Panaji: The Goa chief electoral officer (CEO) is yet to receive SOP from the Election Commission of India on the postal ballots cast in the Ponda byelection. The ECI on Wednesday told the high court that 171 postal ballots were already cast prior to April 9.

Persons with disabilities and seniors above the age of 85 classified as absentee voters had election special polling teams visit their homes between March 29 and 31 so that they could cast their votes in the comfort of their homes.

In addition, electors on election duty, including senior magistrates, flying squad personnel, additional returning officers and additional election returning officers, police, Goa IDV and home guards on election duty who opted to vote via postal ballot also cast their votes between March 29 and March 31 at the facilitation centre at the Court Room, Office of Mamlatdar of Ponda. “We have intimated the ECI about the postal ballots and we are awaiting SOP from the ECI,” CEO Sanjay Goel told TOI.

Meanwhile, Congress candidate Ketan Bhatikar demanded that the postal ballots be returned to the voters in the presence of political parties apprehension misuse otherwise.