PANAJI
The State Election Commission (SEC) has initiated the process of finalising ward delimitation for Goa’s 11 municipalities and is scrutinising suggestions and objections received from citizens to the draft delimitation. Speaking to The Goan, State Election Commissioner Menino D’Souza said the Commission would strictly adhere to the timeline laid down by the High Court of Bombay at Goa. “Currently we are in the process of scrutinising the suggestions and objections received to the draft delimitation ordinance. Once scrutiny is done, the same will be notified before September 9,” he said. The High Court on Tuesday upheld the validity of the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, while directing the SEC to complete the municipal election process, including declaration of results, for all 11 municipalities by January 4, 2027.
D’Souza said the SEC would next undertake the ward reservation process. The draft reservation will be placed before the public for their views for a period of one month. As per the court-directed schedule, the draft reservation is to be published by September 20, while the final reservation must be notified by November 9.
“A 25-day model code will be in place in December. We have to conduct the polls and counting by January 4, 2027,” D’Souza said.
He said the Commission would follow the prescribed schedule to ensure that the elections are not delayed and the court’s directives are complied with.
The five-year terms of Goa’s 11 municipal councils expired between March and May 2026. Following the expiry of their terms, the State government appointed administrators to oversee the functioning of the councils.
