PANAJI
The Goa State Election Commission (GSEC) has issued a fresh ward delimitation notification for all 11 municipal councils, complying with the Bombay High Court at Goa’s directions after it quashed the earlier notification for violating the statutory requirement of consultation with the State government.
Through a notification issued on Monday, the SEC said the fresh ward delimitation had been undertaken in accordance with the court’s directions and applicable statutory provisions.
The notification covers the municipal councils of Margao, Mapusa, Mormugao, Curchorem-Cacora, Bicholim, Pernem, Canacona, Valpoi, Sanguem, Quepem and Cuncolim. Earlier this month, the High Court had quashed the SEC’s September 9 ward delimitation notification, holding that the exercise was arbitrary and contrary to law. The court directed the commission to reconsider the objections to the draft delimitation and publish the final notification by October 26.
The court had specifically directed the SEC to place all 77 objections received against the draft ward delimitation before the government, along with reports and maps prepared by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), detailed orders on the objections and other relevant material.
The material was required to enable meaningful consultation with the government under Section 10(3) of the relevant Act.
The court observed that the SEC had failed to communicate the material forming the basis of the delimitation exercise to the government and had proceeded with the process without awaiting its views.
Setting aside the September 9 notification, the court directed the SEC to immediately forward the complete file to the government, including the objections, ERO reports, orders, delimitation maps and other relevant records.
