MARGAO
Returning Officer Vishal Kundaikar told The Goan that his office has received a lone nomination paper from Leticia Maria Miranda for Ward No III of the Betalbatim panchayat.
For Ward No VII, however, the Returning Officer has received two nomination papers filed by Inacio Carvalho and Judas Tadeu Rebello.
The Returning Officer further informed that three nomination papers have been filed for Ward No V of the panchayat. The nomination papers have been filed by candidates Santana Fernandes, Vincente Rosario Fernandes and Silvia Pereira.
Kundaikar said that all the nomination papers received from the candidates will be scrutinised by his office in the presence of candidates on Wednesday. Thursday is the date for withdrawal.
These three wards had been hit by controversy after they were first reserved by the Director of Panchayats for the OBC before the High Court had struck down the government’s order by deserving the seats after local residents had challenged the government decision on grounds that ward No 3, 5 and 7 hardly had any OBC population. The reservation, however, had come full circle after the SC had overruled the decision of the High Court.
