Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court has issued notices to the Goa government and the State Election Commission (SEC) in two separate petitions challenging a recent Ordinance that empowers the SEC to undertake delimitation and reservation of municipal wards.
The petitions have also sought directions to the State Election Commission to conduct municipal elections without further delay, pointing out that the terms of all municipalities across the State have already expired.
According to the petitioners, the Ordinance granting additional powers to the SEC for delimitation and reservation of wards is under legal challenge, and they have raised concerns over its validity and timing. They have further argued that the continued delay in holding elections has resulted in a democratic vacuum at the local body level, affecting governance and civic administration in municipal areas.
The petitions highlight that municipalities, being the grassroots level of urban governance, are currently functioning without elected representatives due to the expiry of their terms. The petitioners have urged the court to intervene and ensure that the election process is initiated immediately.
After hearing preliminary submissions, the High Court issued notices to both the State government and the SEC, seeking their responses on the matter.
The court has now scheduled the matter for final arguments on June 10, where the issue is expected to be heard in detail.
