Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa State Election Commission (SEC) has initiated the next phase of the municipal election process by publishing the draft delimitation of wards for 11 municipal councils across the State. The Commission has invited residents to review the proposed ward boundaries and submit objections or suggestions within 30 days.
The draft covers the municipal councils of Mormugao and Margao, each comprising 27 wards, along with Mapusa, Curchorem-Cacora, Bicholim, Cuncolim, Quepem, Canacona, Valpoi, Pernem and Sanguem.
In a notification issued by State Election Commissioner Menino D’Souza, the SEC has asked citizens to send their representations in writing to its office at Altinho, Panaji. The feedback received will be examined before the ward boundaries are finalised.
The exercise marks a crucial milestone in restoring elected municipal bodies, as several councils across Goa continue to be administered by government-appointed officials after the expiry of their elected terms.
The current delimitation process follows the withdrawal of an earlier exercise in May after changes were introduced to the Goa Municipalities Act through the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. The ordinance, promulgated by Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju in April, transferred the authority to conduct ward delimitation and determine reservations from the State government to the SEC.
With the amendment in force, the SEC is now solely responsible for deciding the number of wards, preparing delimitation proposals and issuing the final notification. The Commission is also required to obtain data on political backwardness from the Goa State Commission for Backward Classes before determining reservations for municipal wards.
After completing the delimitation process, the SEC will publish draft reservation rosters and seek public feedback. The final reservation list is to be notified within 30 days, following which the election schedule can be announced.
The revised legal framework is widely seen as an effort to make the municipal election process more transparent and independent. Delimitation has often been a politically sensitive issue in Goa, with previous exercises drawing criticism over alleged manipulation of ward boundaries.
Questions Over Poll Timing
The publication of the draft delimitation has also renewed speculation over whether municipal elections will be conducted before the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
Officials familiar with the process said that although civic elections could theoretically be completed by December, the feasibility would depend on administrative planning and the Assembly election schedule.
Since the same election machinery is used for both municipal and Assembly polls, authorities will have to ensure that the two exercises do not overlap. If the Election Commission of India announces the Goa Assembly election schedule while the civic election process is underway, it could complicate planning and deployment of officials.
With Assembly elections expected early next year and likely to be held alongside polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Manipur, the pace at which the SEC completes delimitation, reservations and other statutory formalities will determine whether Goa goes to municipal polls before electing a new State government.
