Restrictions on zilla panchayat election day announced

Margao: District magistrates of both North and South Goa have issued prohibitory orders for the upcoming zilla panchayat elections.

The orders mandate that all restaurants, bars, tea shops, paan shops, eateries, and other food establishments, including dhabas and gaddas, located within 100 metres of polling stations, must remain closed from 6am to 9pm on Dec 20 which is the polling day.


Similar restrictions will apply at counting centres from 6am until the completion of the counting of votes on Dec 22. Both district magistrates have prohibited any gathering or congregation of more than five persons within 200m of polling stations in their respective zilla panchayat constituencies.

Public servants on duty, including poll officials, magistrates, police personnel, and govt staff authorised for election duty, are exempt from these restrictions. Also, the orders will not apply to bona fide marriage or funeral processions and religious processions or functions.

Failure to comply with these orders will attract penal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), along with other relevant provisions of laws in force.

The counting of all 50 constituencies is scheduled to finish on Dec 22.