Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant today assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that the upcoming municipal elections will be conducted in a free, fair and timely manner.
With the tenure of several municipal councils ending in March, Sawant said the government will soon submit a formal proposal to the State Election Commission to initiate the election process.
“Municipal elections will be fair and held on time. As the tenure ends in March, a proposal will be submitted to the Election Commission and the elections will take place,” the Chief Minister told the House.
The assurance came after Goa Forward Party chief and MLA Vijai Sardesai raised concerns over the delay in finalising reservations for municipal wards, alleging that the issue was being used to defer elections. Sardesai questioned the government’s intent and accused it of creating uncertainty in the democratic process at the local body level.
Responding to the charge, Sawant clarified that the matter of reservations squarely falls within the jurisdiction of the State Election Commission and not the government. He said the government would extend all necessary cooperation to the Commission to ensure that the elections are held as per schedule.
“The reservations and all related procedures are under the State Election Commission. The government has no intention to interfere. Municipal elections will be conducted on time,” Sawant reiterated.
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