SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024
Team Herald
Taleigao village is gearing up for its upcoming Panchayat elections, which are set to take place on 28th April 2024. The poll timings have been set from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, giving every eligible voter ample time to exercise their right to vote. The counting of votes will take place on 29th April 2024 at the Auditorium Hall, Bal Bhavan, Campal Panaji from 8:00 am onwards.
This election holds great significance for the villagers as it will determine their local governing body for the next five years. With a population of over 21,000, Taleigao has witnessed significant growth and development over the years, making this election all the more important.
The District Collector of North Goa has been appointed as the District Election Officer for this election, responsible for ensuring a smooth and fair electoral process. The Mamlatdar of Tiswadi taluka has been appointed as the Returning Officer, while the Awal Karkun in the Office of Mamlatdar Tiswadi will act as the Assistant Returning Officer, assisting in the overall management of the elections.
A total of 22 candidates filed their nominations for the 11 wards of the village, with each ward having two candidates. After the withdrawal of nominations, candidates from Ward I, VI, X, and XI were elected unopposed, leaving a total of 14 candidates in the fray for the remaining seven wards.
To ensure the proper conduct of the elections, the Commission has appointed several officials to monitor the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Bhagwant Karmali, Dy Collector Tiswadi has been named as the General Observer, while Suryakant Naik, an experienced accountant, has been appointed as the Expenditure Observer. Additionally, three Flying Squads, consisting of Agnelo Rodrigues, Damodar Tari, and Rajesh Tarkar, have been assigned to oversee any violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
It is worth noting that Panchayat Elections in Goa are held on non-party lines, meaning that the candidates are not affiliated with any political party. This system encourages independent candidates and allows for a more objective approach towards local governance. The manner of voting is by ballot, ensuring transparency and fairness in the election process.
To ensure that candidates do not overspend on their campaigns, the Commission has set an expenditure limit of Rs. 40,000 per ward. This limit not only promotes fair competition but also discourages the use of money and other unethical means to gain an advantage in the elections.
