the goan I network
CANACONA
After locals from Marlem and Tirval in Poinguinim had boycotted the 2019 Lok Sabha polls after being bitter about lack of amenities, locals from Keri and Nadkem in Cotigao have now threatening to boycott the ZP polls if suitable road access is not assured from their locality to the polling booth.
Aggrieved residents of Keri and Nadkem on Monday submitted a memorandum to the Returning Officer (Dy Collector) at Canacona, demanded an urgent visit by the Returning Officer to their localities and to give an assurance for suitable road access to their two hamlets, located within the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. They have warned that if these demands are not met, they would not participate in the ZP polls.
The aggrieved residents have claimed that in the absence of a suitable road, they have been walking over a 10-km distance to vote at Yeda Polling Booth 19 to vote in different elections since 1967.
“Now many of our residents are old and it’s impossible for them to walk such a distance in the absence of a suitable road access to the voting booth.
“No one from the government is coming forward or even if we want to construct a road, the forest department does not allow as our area falls under the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary,” said a resident.
“This is unbearable and unacceptable as it is not possible to walk such a distance not only to exercise our franchise, but also for our daily work. We have, therefore, asked the Returning Officer to visit our locality and give at least an assurance to get the road constructed.” “If no assurance comes forth, we will boycott the upcoming ZP polls en masse,” said the resident, after a memorandum was submitted to RO.THE hardships faced
The locals claim that in the absence of a suitable road, they have been walking over a 10-km distance to vote at Yeda Polling Booth 19 to vote in different elections since 1967
The locals claim many of the residents are old and it’s impossible for them to walk such a distance
The locals claim the forest department does not allow to construct a road as the area falls under the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
They claim it is unbearable and unacceptable as it is not possible to walk such a distance not only to exercise the franchise, but also for daily work
They claim if no assurance comes forth, they will boycott the upcoming ZP polls en masse
