RELIABLY LEARNT
* BJP govt seeks polls towards the second half of February
* MGP wants elections to be held at the earliest
* Cong, others raise issues about deletion of names
* EC may not delete names of Goans who have registered their birth in Portugal
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Expenditure observers
more interested in
beaches: Cong to EC
The Congress in its representation to the Chief Election Commissioner has hit out at expenditure observers accusing them of being arbitrary and more interested in the beaches.
“(They) speak contradictory language and it has been observed during previous elections that their views differ from state to state when we expect uniformity,” Congress General Secretary Altinho Gomes said.
“In places like Goa they are more seen on beaches enjoying like tourists,” he said adding that they should be vigilant and help the police machinery wherever distribution of money takes place.
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Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr Nasim Zaidi and his team of Election Commissioners Om Prakash Rawat and AK Joti are in Goa on a visit to review poll preparedness in the state.
As part of their itinerary the Election Commission on Wednesday met representatives of various political parties ahead of the elections with several parties raising issues with the Chief Election Commissioner ranging from the preferred dates for elections to the practices followed by the Commission in keeping track of elections expenses to the use of official machinery to the advantage of the BJP.
It is reliably learnt that the ruling BJP government in the state has sought polls towards the second half of February, its erstwhile alliance partner the MGP has sought polls at the earliest.
In its representation before the Election Commission the principal opposition party the Congress as well as Goa Forward, has raised issues about deletion of names of those who have registered their births in the central registry of Portugal, expenditure observers, extensions for officers, outline development plans, etc.
“It is learnt that the Election Commission has decided not to delete the names of Goans who have registered their birth in Portugal but do not have Portuguese passport. However, the commission should stick to this decision and not delete the names from the rolls at the last moment,” Congress General Secretary Altinho Gomes said in the representation.
With regard to extensions given to officers working in the state, they have said that “officers who are due to retire and have already enjoyed extension are vulnerable to be influenced by the government.”
With regard to other election related strictures, the Congress has said that the election commission’s strictures are vague when it comes to use of vehicles, campaign material, etc.
For its part the Goa Forward Party sought to point out that the government was giving itself an unfair advantage over other parties ahead of the elections.
“Populist schemes being already announced and more likely to be declared by the ruling BJP government just on the eve of the general elections to the Goa State Legislative Assembly thereby destroying the principle of ‘level playing field’ to the political parties and contesting candidates,” the Goa Forward said.
