THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Constitutional lawyer Adv Cleofato Coutinho on Sunday said election authorities cannot delete the names of Goans, who have obtained Portuguese citizenship, from the electoral roll without issuing them notices.
On the other hand, Adv Radharao Gracias reiterated that though there’s no provision in the Citizenship Act bestowing dual citizenship on Indians, he said Goans enjoy the nationality of both India as well as Portugal.
The duo were speaking at the Adv Joe Antao Memorial talk on the topic 'Portuguese Passport' organised by Ganv Bhavancho Ekvott at Chandor on Sunday.
“One thing is clear that the Indian election authorities cannot simply delete names of citizens from the electoral roll on the assumption that they have obtained Portuguese passports. The authorities should issue the notice to find out whether they have obtained the citizenship or passport voluntarily or not. Issuing notices to the persons concerned is a pre-requisite before their names are struck off from the electoral roll”, Adv Cleofato stated, adding that the authorities cannot strike off names without any notice.
In his talk, Adv Radhrao said Goans have been enjoying Portuguese citizenship before the Citizenship Act came into force in the 1950. After Liberation of the State, the Indian government had conferred the Citizenship order in 1962, hence Goans are enjoying both Indian as well as Portuguese citizenship. “Goans are only registering or transcribing their births in Portugal. This facility is not available to any other Indian national. Hence, I am of the firm opinion that Goans can enjoy both Indian and Portuguese citizenship”, he added.
