PANAJI
The Goa State Election Commission (SEC) has set the ball rolling for the upcoming municipal polls by initiating the process of ward delimitation. The elections to the 11 municipal councils are due in April.
In an order issued, the Election Commissioner Menino D’Souza has announced the commencement of dividing municipal areas into wards for Municipal Councils of Pernem, Valpoi, Bicholim, Mapusa, Mormugao, Margao, Cuncolim, Quepem, Canacona, Curchorem-Cacora and Sanguem.
To assist in the exercise, the deputy collectors and mamlatdar have been appointed as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs).
The term of the existing municipal councils is set to end in April.
Although municipal elections in Goa are officially held on a non-party lines, both ruling and Opposition parties are expected to back panels of candidates, making the contests politically significant.
The outcome of these elections is expected to be closely watched as a barometer of public sentiment towards the BJP-led government, which will be just under a year away from completing its term at the time of the polls.
