Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Congress has alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision process in the Panaji constituency, accusing authorities of failing to detect ineligible names and claiming that genuine Congress voters were removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Congress spokesperson Amit Palekar alleged that the presence of bogus or ineligible voters on the electoral rolls could amount to an offence under the Representation of the People Act and criminal law. He questioned how such names could have gone unnoticed during the SIR exercise.
Palekar said bureaucrats responsible for the process would be held accountable if irregularities were established. He said Congress would approach the Chief Electoral Officer with complaints and seek action over alleged fake affidavits, if found.
Meanwhile, GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Parts 10, 16 and 18 of the Panaji constituency were under pressure from local MLA and Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate and BJP leaders.
Kawthankar claimed that the BLOs were being influenced instead of being allowed to follow Election Commission guidelines independently. Congress condemned the alleged interference and demanded that the officers strictly adhere to the prescribed electoral process.
Kawthankar further alleged that the SIR exercise was aimed at removing Congress voters from the electoral rolls. He claimed that names of genuine Congress supporters had been deleted during the revision.
The Congress has demanded scrutiny of the electoral rolls in the Panaji constituency and action against anyone found responsible for violations or interference in the electoral process.
