Goa poll possibly by mid-Feb, NRIs could hopefully vote from abroad
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 15 December 2016 22:11 ISTGoa Assembly poll is likely to be held before third week of February.
This became evident when Chief Election Commissioner Dr Nasim Zaidi today said the commission would take into consideration Carnival as well as board examinations before finalising the date.
The five-day Carnival festival, followed by Lent season, begins from 25th February.
Dr J R Rebello, chairman of Goa Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, said SSC examinations would begin from 1st of March followed by HSSC examinations from 1st April.
The board has already written to the ECI, requesting them not to hold election during examinations.
“We will think over these demands as well as the security arrangements and climatic conditions and take a decision accordingly. Nothing has been finalised till now”, said Dr Zaidi.
The term of Goa Assembly ends in March while the ECI may not be able to hold election in the third week of February considering Carnival as well as students studying for exams.
Goa is going for Assembly elections along with Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Manipur.
“We have also not decided the phases of electionw and which phase Goa would fall into”, said the CEC.
NRIs COULD VOTE
He is however hopeful of Goan NRIs this time voting from abroad.
He said the ECI has already requested the central ministry to extend the facility of electronic transmission of postal ballot also to the NRIs.
The facility has already been made available to the service voters on election duty.
CASINOS & ODPs IN ECI DOCK
Taking serious note of the complaints made by the political parties, the ECI has also ordered Goa’s chief secretary to maintain strict vigil on Goa’s casinos, where black money could be exchanged.
“It is brought to our notice that casinos are being used to park black money which could be used during election”, he said.
The ECI has also taken serious note of government authorities passing Outline Development Plans at the fag end of their term.
The opposition parties have alleged that a huge tract of agricultural land has been converted into commercial by paying kickbacks.
It needs to be seen what decision the ECI takes regarding the ODPs, which have already been passed.
MARGAO, PONDA OPDs STALLED
Meanwhile, workers of Goa Forward and Congress today morning stalled the meeting of the SGPDA, which was supposed to pass the Margao and Ponda ODPs.
SGPDA chairman Mauvin Godinho had to go back as he was not allowed to enter the office for the meeting.
However, after he left, three opposition MLAs – Digambar Kamat, Vijai Sardesai and Lavoo Mamledar – along with two more members held the SGPDA meeting.
They passed a resolution extending the date of inviting suggestions by one more month before passing the ODPs.
Mauvin called it goondagiri while Vijai said this is a democratic way of people stalling such blunders.
Election Commission of India must take each Party's Manifesto in the Stamp Paper and their Signature with the Promissory Note that THEY WILL FULFILL THE PROMISES MADE IN THE MANIFESTO AND IF FAIL THEN OUR PARTY CAN BE BAN AND CANNOT CONTEST THE ELECTION FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS.
Keep an eagle eye watch on the Goa borders, many more coming to bribe voters. Thorough check on all vehicles including VIPs & Politicians due to new currency will come to bribe voters. Aam Aadmi are waiting in long queues for long hours and these corrupt people has so much money to bribe voters. Even this is the duty of all Goans to film them and send to the Social Media. Let us expose these corrupt people who bring new currency to bribe voters.