PANAJI
More voters belonging to the third gender and an additional number of sex workers are expected to cast the ballot in Goa on February 14, Chief Electoral Officer Kunal said on Friday.
In a joint press conference in Panaji along with Inspector General of Police Rajesh Kumar, the latter also said that the Goa Police had initiated prevention action against 1,700 persons in Goa and had also identified 264 bad characters, who had the potential to disrupt elections.
Earlier, Kunal said that Goa currently had four listed third gender voters, but added that the number would increase in the coming days, along with those of sex workers, thanks to efforts taken by the poll authorities as well as NGOs.
"It was four but we are hopeful. We had camps not only for transgenders but even for sex workers. There is an order by the Supreme Court vis a vis (enrolling of) sex workers. Goa thankfully is in a much better position. Our society is much more, I would say, equitable," Kunal told the press conference.
"There are some NGOs like ARZ and others. In coordination with them, we have organised camps and this year you will see a lot of participation of voters from these sections. It was so far four in the final publication, but more will come. On Jan 28, when the roll is frozen, I will share with you the updated number," the top official also said.
The poll official also said that students from the Goa Engineering College had also been roped in as volunteers to screen social media feeds for model code of conduct violations.
"We have engaged Digi-volunteers from GEC Computer Engineering department. Social media is also under our scanner. We are ensuring that Covid guideline, campaign guideline, MCC all are properly respected," Kunal told reporters.
IGP Kumar said that the police was in the process of identifying criminals and persons listed as bad characters to ensure smooth organisation of polls.
"We have identified 264 criminals. We are also externing people. We have initiated externment proceedings. We have already carried preventive action in 1,700 cases," the senior police official said.
The officials also said that a series of raids had been carried out by various government agencies including the state police, excise departments, etc.
"We have made huge quantities of seizures including liquor, drugs, cash and precious metal," Kumar said.
"Traffic teams, border checkpost are in full election mode. We are determined not to allow any kind of cash or distribution of goodies in Goa," he also said.
"Our flying squads are functional in all assembly constituencies. There are a total of 81 flying squads. 329 complaints have been registered with the C-vigil app, out of which 219 have been found to be correct. Covid guidelines are in force. Door to door campaigning in excess of five persons and more than 50 per cent occupancy in indoor events have been banned by the Election Commission of India," Kunal said, adding that so far nine First Information Reports have been filed related to code of conduct violations.
Kunal also said that three nominations were filed on Friday, which includes Govind Gaude (Priol), Nilesh Cabral (Curchorem) and Digvijit Chavan (Navelim).
