MARGAO
Blame it on the confusion over the ensuing elections, considering that the High Court has reserved its order on the petitions challenging the ward reservations or otherwise, Day One saw not a single candidate turning up to file nomination for the ensuing polls for the Margao and Cuncolim municipal councils on Thursday.
Returning Officer for the Margao Municipal Council, Jyoti Kumari, IAS and Returning Officer for the Cuncolim civic body, John Fernandes were in their respective offices on the first floor of the district Collectorate on Thursday, but not a single candidate came to file their papers.
Both the Returning Officers made elaborate arrangements in their respective offices for the candidates to file their nomination papers. In fact, when The Goan visited the two offices on Monday morning, teams of officials headed by the two Returning Officers were holed up in their respective offices ready to accept the nomination papers.
The State Election Commission appointed observers for Margao, Parag Nagarcekar were seen in the office of the Returning Officer Jyoti Kumari.
Both the Returning Officers told the media that all arrangements have been put in place for the candidates of the two municipal councils to file their nomination papers.
Candidates fielded by key political players, including the BJP, Congress, Goa Forward and others are expected to file their nomination appears earlier next week.
While the BJP has finalised its list of candidates for the Margao civic body, the Goa Forward and the Congress is expected to shortlist its set of candidates depending on the outcome of the petitions challenging the ward reservations.
