PANAJI
The Goa State Election Commission (SEC) has scrapped the ward delimitation process it had initiated for 11 municipal councils, declaring it null and void.
The move comes as immediate fallout to the sweeping changes made to the Goa Municipalities Act through the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, promulgated about a month ago.
The cancelled exercise covered Pernem, Valpoi, Bicholim, Mapusa, Mormugao, Margao, Cuncolim, Quepem, Canacona, Curchorem-Cacora and Sanguem municipal bodies.
The SEC said the earlier process under Sections 9 and 10 of the 1968 Act had become infructuous after the ordinance amended Sections 9, 10 and 11.
Promulgated by Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, in mid-April, the ordinance vests full control of municipal polls in the SEC.
It empowers the Commission to fix ward numbers, carry out delimitation, and publish draft boundaries within 60 days.
Public objections will be invited for 30 days before final notification.
The SEC must also obtain data on political backwardness from the Goa State Commission for Backward Classes to frame reservations. Draft rosters will be opened for feedback, with final lists issued within 30 days. Elections will follow 30 days after publication of the reservation notification.
The ordinance clarifies that reserved category candidates, including women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, may contest unreserved seats.
Electoral rolls are to be streamlined by adopting Assembly rolls under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Officials confirmed that polls due in May are likely to be delayed at least until October, with administrators already appointed to several councils to run day-to-day affairs.
While many welcome the SEC’s enhanced independence, concerns remain over delays and the absence of elected representatives in civic bodies.
