the goan I network
MARGAO
Mauvin told The Goan on Friday that the entire issue will be studied in detail on Monday, but dropped hints that the government may not make any changes to the panchayat election date.
“An unnecessary controversy has been created over the issue of panchayat election date. The SEC is required to fix the date in consultation with the government. The government has fixed June 25 since the work of delimitation is required to be completed within the time frame,” Mauvin said.
Former State Election Commissioner Prabhakar Timble said it is true that the power to fix the date of panchayat polls lies with the Goa government in consultation with the State Election Commission. He, however, said this does not mean that the government has the choice to fix the date after the expiry of the term of panchayat as it would be unsustainable under the Panchayat statute and Constitution.
Timble said the State Election Commission is duty bound to conduct timely elections to panchayats and it cannot abdicate this statutory and Constitutional obligation.
“SEC should immediately approach the Governor, the authority charged to defend the law and the Constitution and if required move the High Court for directions to guard it’s independence and commitment,” Timble asserted.
“The SEC is committed to conduct free and fair election and timely election is part of free and fair election,” he said, adding the SEC as an aggrieved party should knock the doors of the High Court to seeking direction to the government to safeguard the constitutional guarantee.
Adv Cleofato Coutinho echoed similar sentiments. He said the State Election Commission should immediately move the High Court to asserts its Authority on conducting elections for the panchayat bodies.
“Whatever the outcome, the SEC should move the High Court immediately,” Adv Cleofato said.
