Scheduled for May, municipal elections likely to be delayed

Panaji: Municipal elections, scheduled to be held in May, are likely to be delayed after state govt fixed a period to seek objections and suggestions for delimitation and reservation of wards.

Interestingly, the state election commission (SEC) cannot go ahead with the finalisation of reservations of wards until they get empirical data pertaining to political backwardness from Goa State Commission for Backwards Classes (GSCBC). There is no clarity on how to go ahead with reservation of wards in case GSCBC fails to submit the data on time.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant said govt has given all powers to SEC to decide municipal elections in Goa.

The election for Bicholim, Pernem, Valpoi, Cuncolim, Curchorem-Cacora and Canacona was held in March 2021, and the election for Mapusa, Margao, Quepem, Sanguem and Mormugao was held in April 2021.

Govt has appointed administrators in municipal councils whose tenure ended in March. Similarly, govt will appoint administrators whose tenure will come to an end this month. Mormugao and Margao will be the last municipal council whose tenure will end in May.

SEC has submitted a proposal to complete the delimitation of wards to govt, but govt has not granted approval.

The ordinance said: “Upon receipt of objections and suggestions in writing and considering the same, SEC will publish the final notification of reservation in consultation with govt, with respect to each or any municipal area, within 30 days of the last date for submitting such objections.”

“After the expiry of 30 days from the date of publication of the final notification of reservation, the SEC will declare elections to each or any of the municipal areas,” the ordinance said.
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