PANAJI
As the election authorities begin preparations for the forthcoming Assembly elections, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) is grappling with the challenge of having independent administrative machinery for the newly created Kushavati district forcing it to keep a contingency plan ready.
Speaking to The Goan, CEO Sanjay Goel indicated that a dedicated set-up would be preferable but may not be immediately feasible.
Kushavati, carved out of South Goa in December 2025 as the State's third district, comprises the talukas of Quepem, Sanguem, Dharbandora and Canacona and includes five Assembly constituencies -- Quepem, Sanguem, Sanvordem, Curchorem and Canacona.
Goel said the government would have to establish an entirely new district administration, including dedicated officers, offices and supporting infrastructure, for election management purposes. However, considering constraints relating to land, office space and buildings, the Election authorities are also preparing an alternative arrangement.
"If the government is able to put a dedicated administration in place, it will be good. Otherwise, we will request the Election Commission of India to permit the South Goa administration to function in parallel for Kushavati as well," Goel said.
Under the contingency arrangement, the South Goa District Election Officer (DEO) would also function as the DEO for Kushavati, with only the nomenclature changing. The Assembly constituencies and their boundaries will remain unchanged, he explained.
At present, South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, holds additional charge as District Magistrate and Collector of Kushavati from the existing South Goa Collectorate, while the entire South district administration is handling the affairs of the new district.
Sources said that fresh voter identity cards issued to applicants from the five constituencies are already carrying "Kushavati" as the district name, while existing electors continue to have "South Goa" printed on their cards, with no decision yet taken on updating the older voter records.
