Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The petitioners claim that the law permits ballot voting, and the High Court of Bombay in Goa has ordered that elections for the Serula Communidade be held in accordance with the law.
Dilip Mahambrey and three other petitioners had filed a writ petition, arguing that the law requires ballot voting and contesting the custom of raising hands to cast a ballot.
“We requested ballots for the elections without raising our hands because some elderly persons participate and find it challenging…In his address to the media following the court’s decision, the petitioner stated, “Others participate because they are members of the Comunidade or simply attendees, but they are allegedly threatened to raise hands by certain entities, which is incorrect.”
Elections are set for January 12, and the Division Bench, which consists of Justices MS Karnik and Nivedita Mehta, ordered that the elections be conducted legally.
Voting by ballot is required by law. The petitioner stated, “The Court has interpreted it.”
Despite a number of arguments made by the petitioners’ counsel, the Bench made it clear in its ruling that it is not inclined to meddle in the election process at this time.
The petitioners further argued that, in spite of their September 23, 2024, application to the Administrator of Comunidade, the voters’ list had not been furnished.
Speaking on behalf of the Administrator of Comunidade, Additional Government Advocate Sapna Mordekar told the court that the voters’ list was unavailable at the time of the application. But the list is now public, and on Thursday, January 9, the petitioners will receive a certified copy of it after paying the required fees.
In light of this development, the High Court dismissed the case and instructed the petitioners to speak with the Administrator of Comunidade.
