the goan I network
PANAJI
The State Election Commission on Tuesday issued an advisory asking political parties and candidates to desist from campaigning near churches and chapels in the State during the Holy Week ahead of Easter.
The Chief Election Officer (CEO) Kunal has issued instructions that political parties will not be granted permission for holding meetings or rallies in the vicinity of churches and chapels during the Easter week. The CEO has also directed police to maintain strict vigil around churches to avoid any untoward incidents during the Holy Week.
The Holy Week begins on April 14 and Easter will be celebrated the following Sunday, which is a few days ahead when Goa will go to polls for the two Lok Sabha seats and three Assembly bypolls on April 23.
It may recalled that representatives of political parties that had met on March 12 had expressed concern over campaigning during Good Friday and Easter. Representatives had also raised concerns that meetings or rallies during those days could hurt religious sentiments of the Christian community and could lead to law and order issues.
NCP representative Jose Philip D’Souza had even suggested calling for a special meeting in this regard to sort out the issue.
The CEO who had also attended the meeting had assured that no law and order issues would arise and necessary instructions would be issued denying permission for meetings and rallies in the vicinity of churches.
Kunal said that he has not received any written request from church authorities with respect to polling dates clashing with Good Friday services and Easter celebrations.
Meanwhile, the CEO has asked banks to send details of all transactions above Rs 10 lakh to the Income Tax department.
Expenditure limit for those contesting the Lok Sabha elections has been set at Rs 54 lakh while candidates contesting the assembly bypolls can
Over 5.5 lakh voters in North Goa for Lok Sabha polls
PANAJI: As per current available data according to the last published elector’s list, 5,53,206 voters are registered in North Goa for the Lok Sabha elections, said R Menaka IAS, Returning Officer who is also North Goa Collector. This includes 19 constituencies from North Goa, and one constituency (Priol) from South Goa. A final list of electors will be made official by April 4, the RO said, addressing the press on Tuesday.
North Goa will have 842 polling stations in 583 polling locations, with some polling locations accommodating more than one polling station. Under directions from the ECI, flying squads as well as static surveillance teams have been constituted towards enforcement of the model code of conduct in the state. The surveillance teams are specifically for the borders.
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