# Poll date advanced by 5 days n Govt cites reasons for delay
the goan I network
PANAJI
In a judgement pronounced on Wednesday, the Bombay High Court at Goa passed its order based on the submission of the government that it would complete the delimitation process by May 5 and on the submission of State Election Commission that it would need around one month to prepare the voters’ list.
The high court, while disposing the petitions, challenging the government’s decision to delay the panchayat polls beyond the expiry of the term of panchayats, has brought forward the dates by at least five days even as they continue to remain after the date of expiry of the term of panchayats, which is May 27.
While the applicants argued that the state government was under the bounden constitutional duty to ensure that the polls are held before the expiry of the current term of the panchayat bodies, the state government was of the opinion that as per the process the drawing up of the electoral rolls is done only after the delimitation process is completed.
Unless the electoral rolls are duly prepared, it could result in several persons eligible to vote being denied their rights, the state argued.
The court was of the opinion that the panchayat polls need to be held before the expiry of the term as is the constitutional mandate, but has asked the government and the State Election Commission to specify how much time they would need to complete the delimitation process and the process of preparing the electoral rolls.
The SEC defended itself saying that it had proposed to the government to hold the polls on May 21 but despite reminders, the government was yet to complete the delimitation process. According to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, the Directorate of Panchayat has the responsibility completing the delimitation process.
The government in its affidavit cited several reasons for its decision to delay panchayat polls.
APPLICANTS’
ARGUMENT
It’s the bounden constitutional duty of the State government to ensure polls are held before the expiry of the current term of the panchayat bodies
GOA GOVT’S
CONTENTION
n As per the process the drawing up of the electoral rolls is done only after the delimitation process is completed
n Unless electoral rolls are duly prepared, it could result in several eligible persons being denied their rights
STATE EC’s
VERSION
n It had proposed to the government to hold the polls on May 21
n Despite reminders, the State government was yet to complete the
delimitation process
