SEC fixes no. of wards in Goa’s municipalities

Panaji: Goa State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday increased the number of wards of 11 municipal councils, which are likely to go for elections. The new wards are between 10 to 27, depending on the class of the municipal councils.With the notification, Mormugao Municipal Council will have 27 wards, Margao 27, Mapusa 20, Curchorem-Cacora 17, Bicholim 15, Cuncolim 15, Quepem 14, Canacona 13, and Valpoi, Pernem and Sanguem 10 wards, respectively.TOI had reported that the SEC is likely to finalise new wards for 11 municipal councils based on the population in the municipal council areas and not on the number of electorates in the council areas.Earlier, SEC wards were created based on the number of electorates in the municipal areas.Last week SEC cancelled the delimitation of wards to start the delimitation afresh after the new wards are notified.“On the basis of the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 (Ordinance No. 4 of 2026), the delimitation process already carried out has become infructuous and the entire process of delimitation carried out is declared null and void,” SEC commissioner Menino D’Souza said.After the new wards are carved out, SEC will take up delimitation, followed by reservation and announcement of election for municipal councils.