The Model Code of Conduct came into effect from January 12, in the North Goa district and is applicable to all candidates, political parties and governments concerned, as well as the Union Government.
The Panjim by-polls will see a straight fight between the BJP’s Siddharth Kuncolienkar and Congress candidate and city mayor Surendra Furtado. The by-polls have been necessitated by former chief minister Manohar Parrikar resigning his seat in view of his elevation as Defence Minister. He had trounced the Congress candidate Yatin Parekh by a huge margin in the 2012 Assembly elections.
The notification for the election will be issued on January 19, 2015 and the nominations will be accepted from that date till January 27. The scrutiny will take place on January 28. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 30. The counting will be held on February 16.
The Election Commission has also announced February 7 as the date for the Delhi assembly elections, the second in the last 13 months. Counting of votes has been scheduled for February 10, and the poll process will be completed by February 12. President’s rule will be in force in Delhi till February 15 and will have to be extended if a new government is not formed by that date.
