MARGAO
In an interesting development, ringing in good news for the protagonists of Konkani in Romi script, the Office of the Deputy Collector (DRO) and Electoral Registration Officer, Margao have issued a notice in Konkani Roman script to Goan voters in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026, which is being conducted across Goa and the rest of India.
The ‘KOLLOUNI’ (notice) in Konkani Roman script, dated 10 October, 2025 and signed on 31 October, 2025 by Aveline D’Sa E Pereira, Deputy Collector (DRO) and Electoral Registration Officer for the 35“Velim constituency, Margao, informs voters in simple and clear Roman script Konkani about the ongoing enumeration process.
It explains that the Booth Level Officer (BLO) will visit each household with two enumeration forms and guide voters on how to fill them correctly. Once the forms are completed, the BLO will cross-check the details with the Electoral Roll and issue an acknowledgement to each voter.
The notice, which makes Roman script Konkani users feel at home, also cautions that voters who fail to fill and submit the enumeration forms within the stipulated time will have their names deleted from the Electoral Roll. Since the entire process must be completed within a month, the Office of the Deputy Collector and Electoral Registration Officer has requested voters’ full cooperation to ensure smooth execution of this exercise.
The Global Konknni Forum has termed the development a significant one since the Forum had consistently pursued its demand for justice to the Roman script in the Official Language Act (OLA) for over a year.
Forum Secretary Salvador Fernandes said, “Had the notice been issued only in the controversial OLA-approved script, it would have amounted to injustice to Roman script users. This development, therefore, reaffirms the Global Konknni Forum’s long-standing demand to ensure equal recognition for the Roman script under the Official Language Act.”
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has consistently emphasised that greater participation of citizens in the voting process strengthens the foundation of democracy. Hence, this initiative by the Office of the Deputy Collector and Electoral Registration Officer to reach out to Konkani-speaking voters”without discriminating on the basis of script”is a commendable and an inclusive move, Salvador added.
