PANJIM: In a shocking revelation, as many as 5,166 Goans have sought to withdraw their voting rights before the Chief Electoral Office (CEO), on grounds of holding foreign nationality.
Following directives from the Election Commission, the CEO has begun the process of updating the electoral rolls, ahead of the 2017 Assembly election. CEO had sought applications from public for inclusion of new names, changes in name if any and deletion from the electoral rolls.
Accordingly, CEO has received 5,166 applications from persons who want to withdraw their voting rights. These include, 2,778 applications from 23 constituencies in North Goa and 2388 applications from 17 constituencies in South.
Sources said more than 75 per cent have obtained Portuguese nationality while 10 per cent have nationality of other foreign countries. Around 5 per cent have obtained voting rights in other parts of India and hence want to be deleted from Goa voting list.
According to government figures, nearly 15,000 Goans have obtained Portuguese nationality in the past five years, ending December 2014. As per CEO records, since 2006, around 10,000 voters have lost their rights to vote in the country after their names were deleted from the poll rolls.
”Those who have obtained foreign nationality, have surrendered their Indian passports and have lost voting rights and their names have been deleted from the rolls,” officer said.
The issue of Portuguese nationality assumed prominence following cases involving two sitting MLAs — Goa Vikas Party legislator Caitan Silva and BJP MLA Glen Ticlo.
The Union Home Affairs Ministry is yet to decide on the issue of dual citizenship for Goans born during the pre-liberation era and their descendents. As of now, dual citizenship is not allowed as per Indian Constitution. It was reported earlier, that the Union ministry for law and justice has advised the ministry of home affairs that the country’s Citizenship Act may be amended to grant one-time amnesty to those Goans who have registered their births in Portugal.
Meanwhile, CEO in October launched special summery revision as per which it has received 23,207 fresh application for inclusion in electoral roll. These include, 15,084 applications from North and 8, 123 in South Goa. The final list would be out by January 2016. Currently, there are over 10 lakh registered voters.
CEO will be also deleting names of around 5,620 deceased persons.
