With bypolls scheduled for March 8 in select wards across Goa, the Congress has alleged a major irregularity in the electoral roll of Candolim village, claiming that 145 voters have been wrongly shifted between wards.
The State Election Commission has announced a bypoll for Ward 1 of Candolim following the demise of the sitting panchayat member. However, the Congress has alleged that in the run-up to the election, 145 voters from Ward 2 were “surreptitiously” added to Ward 1.
Congress Block President Lourence Silveira termed the development as a “complete fraud” and said the matter has been formally brought to the notice of the State Election Commission.
“As many as 145 additional voters from Ward 2 have been added in Ward 1. This is complete fraud. We have brought this to the attention of the Election Commission,” Silveira said, demanding strict action against those responsible.
Senior Congress leader Elvis Gomes also expressed concern over the alleged manipulation, calling it a serious issue. He pointed out that only the Election Commission has the authority to carry out delimitation of wards.
“It’s a serious matter. Only the Election Commission has the powers to do delimitation. Whoever has committed this fraud has to be brought to task,” Gomes said.
He added that the incident was alarming and underscored the need for vigilance in the electoral process. Gomes also congratulated the local Congress team for being alert and exposing the alleged discrepancy.
The party has urged the constitutional body to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure transparency in the conduct of the upcoming bypoll.
