PANJIM: The Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant has informed the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer regarding the death of Mapusa legislator Francis D’Souza and the constituency seat falling vacant. 

When contacted by Herald, Sawant confirmed that CEO has been officially communicated about the development as a result of the Mapusa MLA’s death on February 14. As a procedure, the CEO would further inform the Election Commission of India (ECI). 

The State government on Monday also issued a notification that stated, “Francisco C J A de Pinto e Souza, an elected member of the Goa Legislative Assembly from 05–Mapusa Constituency of Goa, passed away on February 14, 2019 and consequently his seat in the Goa Legislative Assembly has become vacant with effect from that date.”