The Congress party has said that the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Goa seeking detailed reports from North & South Collectors on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls vindicates its allegations of procedural lapses, lack of transparency and unconstitutional practices in the exercise.
“The fact that the CEO has now called for detailed reports clearly shows that these are not frivolous allegations, but serious concerns that go to the very foundation of free and fair elections,” reads a press statement by GPCC Chief Amit Patkar.
According to Patkar, the Congress complaint highlighted multiple issues with the SIR exercise, including inadequate public awareness, which he said has created confusion and fear among voters. He alleged that arbitrary deletions from the electoral rolls are taking place without following due process under the Representation of the People Act and Election Commission guidelines.
Patkar further claimed that in several instances, Form 7 objections are being accepted from individuals who do not belong to the same electoral party and are not directly affected. “This opens the door to large-scale misuse and targeted disenfranchisement,” he said.
The GPCC president also flagged concerns over transparency and verification. “The process, as it is being carried out, lacks accountability and proper checks, risking the deletion of genuine voters,” Patkar stated, adding that such actions violate constitutional guarantees under Articles 14, 19, and 326.
Reiterating the party’s stand, Patkar warned against any attempt to manipulate electoral rolls or intimidate voters. “Democracy cannot be reduced to an administrative exercise conducted behind closed doors or under political pressure,” he said.
The Congress has also demanded an immediate review and correction of the SIR process, a halt to all irregular and unconstitutional practices, and the issuance of clear written guidelines to ensure transparency, due process, and public participation. Patkar stressed that no voter should be deleted or objected to without strict adherence to the law and a proper hearing.
“The Congress party will remain vigilant and will not hesitate to escalate the matter to the Election Commission of India and other constitutional authorities if corrective steps are not taken immediately,” he said, adding that Goa’s democracy belongs to its people, not to those who seek to undermine it through opaque and arbitrary processes.
